“Thabo Bester | A since Facebook rapist escape” - https://youtu.be/feIfdbiWGmY

3 May 2023 marked exactly a year since Thabo Bester made his daring escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre. Months on the run led to him and his partner, Nandipha Magudumana, being caught in Tanzania. Aviwe Mtila reports.

“G4S vows to cooperate after contracts with DCS are terminated” due to the “the brazen prison escape of Thabo Bester”

https://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/news/g4s-vows-to-cooperate-after-contracts-with-dcs-are-terminated-a3862006-f3ec-4c7a-83c7-841bf21f8e23

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023

Cape Town - Security company G4S confirmed that all Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (BCC) issued to them through the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) have been terminated.

In a statement, a G4S South Africa spokesperson said they noted the notice of termination.

“G4S South Africa notes that the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has issued a notice of termination to Bloemfontein Correctional Contracts (BCC), an independent private company that has held the contract to manage the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) since 2000.

“Over the past 22 years, MCC has had a strong track record and has been recognised as a well-run centre by a number of independent oversight bodies, including the Human Rights Commission and the Judicial Inspectorate of Correctional Services (JICS), which, in October 2022, assigned MCC the highest possible rating for a correctional centre,” the statement read.

Earlier this week, DCS said they “decided to terminate its concession contract with BCC”.

This comes after the brazen prison escape of Thabo Bester.

“In line with the concession agreement, a termination notice for a period of 90 days has been given to BCC, and thereafter, the contract will cease to operate,” DCS said in a statement.

An internal exercise for takeover process will resume.

G4S further said: “G4S South Africa holds a non-controlling minority investment in BCC, and on 22 November 2019, announced that upon expiry of BCC’s contract to manage MCC, G4S would no longer be investing in correctional services in South Africa.

“G4S is committed to investment in South Africa, but it remains G4S’s firm intention to discontinue all investment in correctional services in South Africa. The company will continue to co-operate with BCC and DCS and will seek to agree an orderly transition of services when BCC’s contract to manage MCC comes to an end.”

>>18796453

G4S – South Africa and History – Part 1

https://www.g4s.com/en-za/what-we-do/services/care-and-justice

The Public Private Partnership was the first of its kind in South Africa and G4S is proud to be a part of the consortium responsible for the design, construction and financing of the project. G4S signed a 25-year contract to operate the facility as sub-contractor to the consortium. Mangaung is the second largest private prison in the world and opened in 2001. The purpose-built prison ensures that even though facilities are extensive and provide a range of opportunities for inmates to learn and develop new skills, security is tight and controlled at all times.

Internationally, our Care & Justice Services are built on successful custodial and information businesses, specialising in prison management and security, including institutions for juveniles, electronic tagging of prisoners, and the escorting/transportation of prisoners.

https://www.g4s.com/who-we-are/unpublished—our-history

We support our knowledge of global security trends with a deep understanding of our customers’ unique needs. We have an enviable heritage with more than 100 years in the security industry.

2020 -

2020 - The sale of the majority of G4S's conventional Cash Solutions businesses to The Brink's Company was completed. The G4S Academy is launched, establishing one place to share G4S's global expertise. G4S launches COVID-19 business continuity plans and employee protective measures to deliver safe and reliable services to our customers. G4S secures a 10-year contract to run new UK prison, HMP Five Wells. G4S launches the 2020 G4S Supplier Code of Conduct and Inclusion Council. Later in the year, G4S board unanimously recommends offer from Allied Universal to buy G4S.

2021 - G4S is delisted from London Stock Exchange as Allied Universal completes the acquisition of G4S.

2022 - Allied Universal acquires Attenti Group, one of the world’s leading electronic monitoring companies. It also acquires Century Event Security & Staffing which provides security and events services in Las Vegas and Orlando - two of the top exhibition industry cities in the U.S. G4S Secure Solutions UK acquires T.S.S (Total Security Solutions), a major UK provider of security services in the retail sector. The company also wins a four-year contract to provide security services for the London Legacy Development Corporation, which manages Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. G4S Care and Rehabilitation Services wins a ten-year contract to continue operating HMP Parc in Bridgend, South Wales.

>>18796458

G4S – South Africa and History – Part 2

https://www.g4s.com/who-we-are/unpublished—our-history

2000 - 2019

2000 - Group 4 and Falck merge to become Group 4 Falck.

In early 2000s, Group 4 Falck acquires security businesses in Germany, Austria, Finland, the Czech Republic, Norway and Hungary, France and South Africa. The company enters the US security market by acquiring The Wackenhut Corporation, the second largest security services company in the US and acquires a Danish intruder alarm business.

Securicor acquires businesses in Canada, Africa, Europe, Asia and the US.

2002 - Nick Buckles becomes CEO of Securicor.

2004 - Securicor merges with Group 4 Falck's security businesses to form Group 4 Securicor (G4S) and begins trading on the London and Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

2005 - Lars Nørby Johansen is succeeded as CEO by Nick Buckles.

2006 - Wackenhut wins a key fire protection and emergency response contract with NASA. G4S announces sponsorship of Skandia Team GBR, backing Britain’s Olympic sailing bid in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

2007 - G4S 4teen, an innovative global sports development programme, is launched.

In 2007 - 2008, G4S makes acquisitions in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Serbia and Mozambique and begins providing electronic monitoring equipment and services in New Zealand. In 2008, G4S acquires RONCO Consulting Corporation, one of the world's premier humanitarian and commercial mine action, ordinance disposal and security companies, a support and justice service provider GSL, and Armorgroup, a leading provider of defensive and protective services to national governments and international peace and security agencies.

2008 - A landmark agreement is reached with UNI, the global union federation, on an Ethical Employment Partnership, driving improvements in employment standards across the security industry.

G4S is selected as a support contractor for the US Department of Energy

2009 - G4S acquires Secura Monde International Limited and Shiremoor International Engineering Limited, the UK’s leading specialist banknote and high security technical and commercial advisory companies. Same year in the US, G4S acquires All Star International, a facilities management company that provided services to the US Government and Adesta, US-based provider of integrated security systems. In Asia, G4S acquires Hill & Associates Consultants Limited, Asia’s leading provider of specialist risk mitigation consulting services.

In 2010 - 2011, G4S acquires Munt Centrale in the Netherlands, Plantech and Instalarme in Brazil, Skycom in Africa and The Cotswold Group, an intelligence and investigation company in the UK.

2011 - G4S is awarded two prison contracts and three work programme regions in the UK.

2012 - G4S appoints John Connolly as new chairman. The acquisitions continue when G4S acquires Deposita, South Africa’s leading provider of retail cash solutions technology, and Chubb Emergency Response that provides key holding and response services in the UK.

2013 - G4S launches its landmark human rights policy. Ashley Almanza succeeds Nick Buckles as Group CEO.

2016 - G4S secures a renewed 20-year deal to manage Port Phillip Prison in Victoria, Australia, and becomes the first private security company to secure the UK's Royal Mint.

2017 - G4S joins FTSE4GOOD index in recognition its strong commitment to CSR. G4S is selected to secure Hinkley Point C, the first nuclear power station built in the UK in a generation. In Africa, G4S is awarded Top Employer in 13 countries.

2018 - A new organisational structure creates a Global Cash Division and consolidates Secure Solutions businesses into four regions: Americas, Europe & Middle East, Africa and Asia. The G4S World Cash Report 2018 is published.

2019 - G4S board approves separation of Cash Solutions from the Group. G4S Risk Management is granted membership of the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) which promotes responsible private security. Cash Solutions in the Netherlands acquires SecurCash.

>>18796458

>>18796464

G4S – South Africa and History – Part 3

https://www.g4s.com/who-we-are/unpublished—our-history

1980 - 1999

1988 - Falck is acquired by Baltica, a Danish insurance company. Jørgen Philip-Sørensen takes responsibility for Group 4’s European activities. Securicor Chairman Peter Smith is awarded the OBE for services to the security industry.

1990 - Securicor establishes its Custodial Services operations.

1991 - Group 4 begins managing the first privatised prison in the UK, at Wolds in Humberside.

1993 - Falck acquires the security business of ISS Securitas, to become Falck Securitas.

1995 - Falck is listed on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.

1997 - Securicor acquires the first Private Finance Initiative prison in the UK.

In the 1990s, Falck acquires security businesses in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Lithuania, Germany, Poland and Estonia.

Group 4 acquires businesses in Austria, Belgium, Canada and Turkey, establishes operations in the United Arab Emirates and Ukraine, starts activities in Bangladesh and provides security services to governments and private organisations in Hungary.

1950 - 1979

1950 - Philip-Sørensen family businesses are consolidated as Securitas International.

1951 - Night Guards becomes Securicor.

1963 - Falck buys Zonen Redningskorps, an independent fire and rescue service in Denmark.

1965 - Jørgen Philip-Sørensen is appointed managing director of his family’s UK businesses.

1968 - The Philip-Sørensen group of companies becomes Group 4 (Total Security).

1971 - Securicor Group Limited and Security Services Limited are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

1901 - 1949

1901 - Marius Hogrefe starts the guarding company Kjøbenhavn Frederiksberg Nattevagt in Denmark.

1906 - Sophus Falck establishes Redningskorpset, an independent fire and rescue service.

1908 - Redningskorpset establishes the first automobile ambulance in Scandinavia.

1930 - Falck becomes a nationwide operator in Denmark.

1934 - The Philip-Sørensen family establishes Securitas AB in Sweden.

>>18796458

>The Public Private Partnership was the first of its kind in South Africa and G4S is proud to be a part of the consortium responsible for the design, construction and financing of the project.

“Public Private Partnerships of South Africa”

https://www.commonwealthgovernance.org/countries/africa/south_africa/public-private-partnerships/

South Africa is a leader in public–private partnerships in the southern African region, with a highly developed dedicated legal structure in place. The 1999 Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Treasury Regulation 16 cover national and provincial procedures while municipal public–private partnerships are governed by the 2003 Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The legal and regulatory framework for public–private partnerships defines differences between national and provincial PPPs, and municipal PPPs in terms of areas of interest and advocacy of public participation. However, affordability, value for money and risk transfers remain common objectives to both frameworks. A PPP unit was founded in 2004 to achieve standardisation and the swift financial close of projects. A unique feature of public–private partnership legislation in South Africa is the terms for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) articulated as a compatible key objective. PPP legislation defines BEE requirements to alleviate both the precedence of inequality in South Africa and the inequalities that can arise from public–private partnerships in developing countries.

National public–private partnerships far outnumber the quantity of municipal projects in South Africa, though the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Client (MIIC) advocates PPPs and some have been achieved, such as the DTI Provincial Accommodation Project. Mistrust by labour unions still characterises the use of PPPs in municipalities, with anxiety surrounding the average unemployment rate of 26 per cent. Health care and transport are core areas for public–private partnerships in South Africa, with the build–operate–own–transfer model most prevalent.

https://www.icafrica.org/en/topics-programmes/focal-points/public-private-partnerships/

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are increasingly seen in Africa as an essential mechanism to design, build, finance and/or operate infrastructure facilities hitherto provided by the public sector.

Constraints on public sector resources, growing pressure on government budgets across Africa and concerns about the efficiency [or deliberate failures] of service provision by state enterprises and agencies have led to many governments stepping-up their efforts to encourage partnerships with the private sector.

From the perspective of the private sector, PPPs are becoming increasingly viewed as an effective way to mitigate some of the risks associated with privately-financed and managed projects in Africa. By involving public sector partners, some of the bottlenecks leading to delays and difficulties can be unblocked.

“Al Jamah-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda elected as new Joburg mayor: Khanyi Magubane”

https://youtu.be/ai6HcQ3GKqA

5:50 – “As I am speaking to you, I’ve had no water in my house for a week. Johannesburg Water has literally gone AWOL. They can hardly come out to attend to the basics that are affecting citizens. So while at the top, political parties may be playing the game of politicking,… The question is will the top decisions filter down… [then the news anchor cuts her off].”

“Al Jama-ah’s councillor Kabelo Gwamanda elected as new City of Joburg mayor”

https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/al-jama-ahs-councillor-kabelo-gwamanda-elected-as-new-city-of-joburg-mayor-8cd6799e-b9e0-4834-84eb-ecd8731e57d9

FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023

Pretoria – A member of Muslim minority political party, Al Jama-ah councillor Kabelo Gwamanda, was elected as the new of mayor of the City of Joburg on Friday.

His election comes after former mayor Thapelo Amad, also of Al Jama-ah, resigned on April 24. [He was only at the helm for 3 months. “South Africa’s Wealthiest City Gets Sixth Mayor in Four Years” - https://news.yahoo.com/south-africa-wealthiest-city-gets-162414783.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFM8YQtw7Upp6XVQci4niHAwsTiAk8yue6-vmtSI82IbvRCkspnlRub5rqYWww2FLNvV7LHX8iaeR2UIO2MYssEswylS4M5k96eeP_A3fDay7hHxMmCN2SThVJxJzrwZdOMHVlDTSA2ijdZxq7zIGymz42IgWhP796-2ucrtwNb1]

He resigned a before he was expected to face a motion of no confidence.

For him to win the position, Gwamanda received the backing of the ANC, EFF and minority parties.

He beat ActionSA’s Funzi Ngobeni and (DA) member and former Joburg mayor, Mpho Phalatse, by 139 to 59 and 68 votes, respectively.

The total number of votes was 266.

Speaking to the media outside the City Council Chamber, Gauteng Premier and ANC chairperson in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, said three advisers would be placed in Gwamanda’s office to strengthen the office with the needed capacity and skills.

He said the advisers would help him with everything that affects governance, finance and to also manage the stakeholder relations.

“We learnt from those mistakes… we are going to strengthen his office with the capacity and the skills that are needed… This time we are ready; we have learnt from our limitations,” he said.

Gwamanda will be faced with the task of uniting all coalition partners behind one vision, and putting aside political and other differences.

It has been reported that an amount of about R500 000 has been spent each time a council meeting has been called to elect a new mayor.

“President Ramaphosa reveals that a health revolution is on the way”

https://youtu.be/T7foJivIYVg

May 5, 2023

President Cyril Ramaphosa has revealed that a health revolution is on the way.

He told the 2nd Presidential Health Summit in Boksburg that the National Health Insurance Bill aims to create a universal healthcare system for all South Africans.

“Concern mounts after survey reveals NHI would force 40% of SA doctors to emigrate”

https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/concern-mounts-after-survey-reveals-nhi-would-force-40-of-sa-doctors-to-emigrate-40005651

Published Jan 3, 2020

Durban - South African doctors in private practice strongly oppose the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill and believe that about 40% of doctors would emigrate if a universal health-care system was implemented.

The SA Medical Association (Sama), which represents 17000 doctors across the country, said the organisation could not support the bill, as it was tantamount to creating a “monopoly” in the health-care sector.

The bill is a financing system that pools funds and aims to provide universal access to quality health care for all South African and non-South African citizens, regardless of their financial ability to pay or socio-economic status.

Sama said: “The establishment of the NHI as a single, monopolistic purchaser for health care opens its structures up to large-scale corruption.”

The organisation said the changes the bill proposed could cause wide-scale harm to the delivery of health care if they were not managed properly, and that the bill had been introduced during a time where there was deep public mistrust of the government.