Responding to OFM News’ queries on the matter, BCC - in which G4S is a shareholder - says the woman, who works at the Mangaung Correctional Centre’s library, is currently self-isolating at home. The management of the prison is said to be working alongside the provincial health department to trace all contacts and ensure all the necessary precautions and protocols are followed.

According to BCC, all individuals with whom the employee has had contact have been tested and remain in self-isolation at their homes. All inmates who have come into contact with the infected employee are now isolated in a separate ward in the facility.  BCC adds that all areas have been re-sanitised. The prison company does not confirm rumours that an inmate has also been infected.

The Mangaung private prison assures the public that since the outbreak of the virus in the country, they have taken the necessary precautions to protect inmates and all G4S employees. This has come in the form of regular sanitisation of the prison and the provision of gloves, masks and hand santizers. They say the provincial health department has inspected the prison’s health facility and they have green lit it for use amidst the outbreak. The Free State Health Department is yet to comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, OFM News reported on Wednesday that the Batho police station in Bloemfontein has been shut down until further notice after one of the police officials stationed there tested positive for Covid-19. National Police Spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo, says the building has been closed for decontamination and will be reopened as soon as it is declared safe to do so. Naidoo assures the Batho township community that they will still be able to access police services. The community Service Centre will now be operating from the Batho Community Hall which is located right across police station.

The development at the private maximum prison comes mere weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office authorised the parole of thousands of selected categories of sentenced offenders, to curb the spread of the Coronavirus. In a statement published on May 8, the Presidency said that the measure is being introduced to combat the spread of Covid-19 in correctional facilities so that social distancing and self-isolation conditions can be properly observed.

Mangaung has been identified as the epicentre of the virus in the Free State, with the vast majority of the 44 active cases found in Bloemfontein.

OFM News