'I’d leave immediately, shem' — Glynnis Breytenbach hailed for G4S parliamentary 'grilling'

DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach has been hailed by many on social media for her “grilling” of G4S officials appearing before parliament's justice and correctional services portfolio committee.

G4S regional commercial director for Africa Cobus Groenewoud and others from the international security company faced questions from MPs on the escape of “Facebook rapist” and murderer Thabo Bester in May last year.

G4S runs the Mangaung correctional facility where Bester was serving a life sentence when he escaped from the maximum security prison after setting his cell alight. A body was found in the cell and officials announced Bester's death at the time.

Groenewoud told the committee the facility did not have the authority or skills to conduct criminal or forensic investigations.

The committee also heard the company was still investigating the escape and had handed over evidence to police, including a list of staff on duty, records of visits to Bester and security footage.

G4S did not know how the body or items used to set the cell alight were brought into the prison. 

It was confirmed that a “TV stand cabinet” was brought into the facility to be repaired, but the vehicle that brought it in was not searched or given proper authorisation. G4S audit and risk head Gert Beyleveld said a corpse could have fitted into the stand.

The committee was told CCTV footage of the fire was not captured despite the cameras working before and after the incident.

Breytenbach sharply questioned many of the officials' responses, demanding accountability and suggesting they were hiding behind the police investigation.

“You don't think it is part of your responsibility to determine how a murderer and a serial rapist walked out of your prison? That is someone else's responsibility? Get real!” she said.

While the responses given were shared and scrutinised online, it was Breytenbach's sharp questioning that had many flocking to social media to sing her praises.

Here is a look at some of the reactions:

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