EXCLUSIVE | Private prisons are spectacular failures- Justice Edwin Cameron

JOHANNESBURG - Private prisons in South Africa are a waste of taxpayers’ money.

That’s the view of the Inspecting Judge for Correctional Services, Justice Edwin Cameron.

He says Thabo Bester would have found it difficult to escape from a Department of Correctional Services facility.

Cameron blew the whistle on Bester’s escape when he leaked a report to the media stating the burnt body found in cell 35 was not Bester.

Cameron says G4S and DCS should be held accountable for continued corruption and mismanagement at Mangaung Prison following the latest revelations of a drugs and sex syndicate.

Nine accused including Bester are expected back in court this week.