Correctional services says it’s ready for life after Bosasa
The Department of Correctional Services says it is ready to take over the 26 kitchens that were operated by African Global Operations.
The company was previously known as Bosasa.
The department recently announced that it would be terminating its contract with Bosasa.
The controversial facilities management company has been supplying catering services to prisons around the country but has been given a 30-day services termination notice.
The company filed for voluntary liquidation after claims of grand-scale corruption emerged at the commission of inquiry into state capture.
ALSO READ:Two suspects arrested for rape, kidnapping in Makwassie
The claims led to the closure of Bosasa’s bank accounts.
The department’s Singabakho Nxumalo says a contingency plan was presented to the justice committee on Wednesday.
"As the department we, therefore, needed to put measures in place and explain how we are going to take over productions. The presentation was well received by members of parliament, but they did stress that they will conduct oversight to check if indeed all was working on the ground.”
Nxumalo says inmates, who will be assisting in the kitchens, will undergo the necessary training.
"You find inmates working in those but that is part of skills development those inmates received proper training. They get to understand how the system in the kitchen or catering service, how it works, how to prepare food. So that skill they get to use it even after they've left the correctional facility.”
Nxumalo says insourcing is not a new concept.
"This is demonstrated by the recent insourcing of nutrition at the end of January in Groenpunt Management Area preceded by similar insourcing at Bizzah Makhathe Management area on 1 February 2017, thus bringing the insourcing capacity to 70%."
LISTEN HERE: