Cape Town – The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed the death of an escaped inmate, who was later found to have died by suicide.
According to the department, the offender, Graine Martin, escaped from the Allandale Correctional Centre in the Western Cape, on 9 September.
He was involved in the Agricultural span, before he made his escape.
“He was serving a 12-year sentence for three counts of assault and theft, having been admitted on 29 August 2023.
“Following an intensive search operation, involving SAPS and members of the community, the escapee was found deceased.
ESCAPE AND DEATH OF OFFENDER FROM ALLANDALE CORRECTIONAL SERVICE pic.twitter.com/PkatXK23bn
— Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (@CrimeWatch_RSA) September 9, 2025
“Preliminary observations indicate that he took his own life through hanging. The matter has been reported to SAPS, and an inquest will be conducted in line with applicable procedures.
The DCS confirmed that a full-scale investigation will be launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the inmate’s escape and subsequent death.
Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has called for the immediate termination of government’s contract with the private security service G4S, that manages the Mangaung Correctional Centre.
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COMMITTEE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION OF G4S CONTRACT AT MANGAUNG CORRECTIONAL CENTRE https://t.co/fqHb8f5wJ6 @parliament @DCS_ZA @G4S @DefenceCluster @FinanceCluster @GovernanceClus1 @HealthSocClust @EconoCluster
— Justice-and-security-Cluster (@JustSecuCluster) September 9, 2025
According to a statement released by Parliament, Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng accused G4S of “acting as a law unto themselves” after the company only submitted a report last week on the unnatural death of an inmate that occurred in March 2025.
The committee voiced its shock at the extent of cover-ups linked to unnatural deaths in correctional facilities, citing Mangaung, Goodwood, and Oudtshoorn as key examples.
In relation to the Mangaung case, it was revealed that after the 2022 escape of offender Thabo Bester, the National Commissioner invoked section 112 of the Correctional Services Act and, on 29 March 2023, appointed Mr. Patrick Mashabathakga as temporary manager and head of the centre from 30 March 2023.
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COMMITTEE CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CANCELLATION OF G4S CONTRACT AT MANGAUNG CORRECTIONAL CENTRE https://t.co/n2mA6rNte3… @parliament @DCS_ZA @G4S @DefenceCluster @FinanceCluster @GovernanceClus1 @HealthSocClust @EconoCluster pic.twitter.com/cFYPklHrok
— Justice-and-security-Cluster (@JustSecuCluster) September 9, 2025
The committee heard that various accounts of how information was distorted and amended to explain away culpability in both the Mangaung incident and another at the Goodwood correctional centre. The matter in Oudtshoorn is still under investigation.
The committee heard that officials were presented with pre-drafted statements to sign, ensuring their versions aligned.
It was further alleged that officials were instructed to assault inmates on their bodies rather than their faces, in order to conceal the marks.
“In addition, the committee heard that throughout the investigation into the incident, G4S and its employees sought to conceal the truth and obscure the investigation.
“This is viewed in serious light as it is tantamount to defeating the ends of justice.
“G4S’s refusal to provide reports about the March incident to DCS and only complied on 4 September, which amounts to refusing to take responsibility,” said Ramolobeng.
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Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
