Prison head who resisted Bosasa died ‘mysterious death’

Family and supporters of former correctional services national commissioner Vernie Petersen, who is said to have resisted Bosasa corruption, have backed a call to the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture to investigate his death, saying that it remains a mystery.

Petersen, who died in February 2011, apparently of pneumonia, was lauded for his “brave anti-corruption stance in the face of death threats to himself and his family” in a statement by the #Justice4vernie movement, which will hold a memorial in support of the former prisons head on Saturday, March 2.

During the ongoing Zondo commission, former parliamentary correctional services committee chairperson Dennis Bloem described how Petersen attempted to block an allegedly corrupt food tender being awarded to Bosasa to provide meals at correctional service facilities.

Bloem called for Petersen’s death to be investigated, saying: “I am having a personal plea to the commission, please investigate the death of Vernie Petersen because [he] died a mysterious death.”

#Justice4vernie spokesperson Neil Cole said that, although the family has no evidence that Petersen’s death was untoward, they still have lingering questions. “We would align with the call made by Dennis Bloem, because his death remains a mystery. And the cause of his death is out of line with a person that we had been with prior to him going into hospital. So one minute you see someone is healthy, literally in a week someone is with you, and then somebody passed away,” Cole said.

Supporters of Petersen’s family said the revelations at the Zondo commission reminded them of Petersen’s uphill battle to keep correctional services clean.

The organisers of the memorial said that Petersen had tried in vain to resist state capture. “Vernie tried to ensure that the correct procedures were followed in re-advertising the food contract, rather than being forced to extend the existing Bosasa contract,” said a #Justice4vernie statement. “Neither his colleagues in senior management nor the [then] minister of correctional services, Ngconde Balfour, supported him.”

At the time of his death, Petersen was director general of the department of sport and recreation. He was transferred from correctional services in 2008.

“Some of us were aware of the difficulties he was going through at correctional services,” said Cole. “And in particular with the Bosasa tenders. There were several names that were always mentioned by Vernie that were particularly problematic. Names like [former correctional services financial officer Patrick] Gillingham, and things that he said about Linda Mti and also lots of difficulties that he had with the minister [Balfour].”

In a letter to Zondo, the #Justice4vernie campaign says it is willing to assist the commission with information and support. The letter is signed by, among others, former anti-apartheid activist Zelda Holtzman and the dean of St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town, Michael Weeder, as well as senior figures in South Africa’s public service, such as the deputy national director of public prosecutions, Willie Hofmeyr.

“We wish to express our utmost support to you and the commission that you lead. We further call on you to ensure that the circumstances surrounding Vernie’s death be fully investigated,” the letter said.

A former correctional services leader, who knew Petersen and spoke to the Mail & Guardian on condition of anonymity, said that correctional services management and the minister would shift, fire or suspend members of management who stood in their way.

“Lots of strange things happened that I couldn’t understand … It was a time when this Bosasa issue was at an advanced stage of implementation.

“And they know we would have asked questions about Bosasa taking over the kitchens … We were busy with amazing transformational projects that would have changed correctional services, and we would have asked questions.”

The memorial service on Saturday, which is to be held at St George’s Cathedral, is expected to be addressed by friends and supporters of Petersen’s family, including former finance minister Trevor Manuel and former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke.