G4S SECURITY company has been accused of not taking responsibility for Thabo Bester's prison escape.
The company was grilled by members of National Assembly in the Portfolio Committee on Justice on Wednesday, 12 April.
Three officials from G4S presented their evidence report detailing the events which led to Bester escaping from the Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) on 3 May 2022.
He escaped after faking his death by setting alight the cell he was in. The fire was apparently discovered at about 4am.
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Joseph Monyante, G4S' head of the centre at Mangaung, said staff at the prison reported a smell of petrol coming from Bester's belongings and reported this to Department of Correctional Services (DSC).
He told the committee that a laptop, which was authorised as Bester was studying through Damelin and an unauthorised cellphone, were found in his cell.
Commercial director for G4S, Cobus Groenewoud, said they co-operated fully with cops and informed them of the chemical smell on Bester's belongings on 4 May.
He further told the committee that some cameras in the unit where Bester was being kept were not working due to a power failure.
The supervisor is believed to be Senohe Matsoara, who appeared on charges of murder as well as aiding and abetting a convicted prisoner's escape from lawful custody in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 11 April.
G4S also confirmed that distance CCTV footage showed two unidentified figures running toward the administrative building of the prison, but cameras close to the building were not working.
Groenewoud said that MCC shared information and video footage with the police.
Member of Parliament (MP) Anthea Ramolobeng said based on her visit, the fire broke out at 2.30am and was reported at 2.59am, and not at 4am as G4S has said. She asked what the truth is.
ANC MP Xola Nqola asked whether cell 35, which Bester was in, is a corner cell obscured from cameras and close to an exit.
G4S said the cell was built according to government standards and was used because it was available.
DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach said: "You don't tell us what happened, how this happened, what you've done about what happened?"
Breytenbach said there were rumours that people were suspended, dismissed and transferred by G4S so the department could not get hold of them.
Groenewoud disagreed, saying: "It's not for us to link those to the ultimate crime. That is for the police services to do. It is incorrect to say that we have done nothing."
EFF MP Yoliswa Yako questioned the timeline provided by G4S.
The Parliament inquiry is expected to continue until Thursday, 13 April with the police and justice departments to deliver their reports.
