Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) said order had been restored at the Boksburg prison after a group of inmates became “unruly” and barricaded a sectional gate during a search operation.
In a statement on Tuesday, the department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said the incident happened on Monday, in retaliation to a mandatory search operation by the department’s national task team.
“DCS shall never hesitate to act with vigour in order to ensure that there is no dereliction from the core mandate of corrections,” Nxumalo said.
“Inmates attempting to undermine [the] authority of the state know fully of the consequences, and DCS will never compromise [the] safety and security of other inmates, officials, members of the community and service providers.”
Nxumalo said the proliferation of mobile phones and other contraband was a grave concern for the department.
“Some of the images circulating via social media platforms emanate from inmates, making a mockery of the correctional system. This is a clear indication that the few unruly inmates, who sought to prevent the searching exercise, knew fully that they were hiding contraband in their cells,” Nxumalo said.
“Credit must be given to correctional officials for conducting themselves in an orderly manner, despite extreme levels of unbecoming behaviour and provocation by some of the inmates.
“Those involved will be identified and corrective measures taken against them. We remain committed to incarcerate inmates in a humane and secure environment.
“However, we will never tolerate undermining of the Correctional Services Act by unruly inmates hellbent on continuing to unleash terror to communities and officials through acts of crime, even when they are under lawful custody. There is a reason why the justice system removed some people from society for the purposes of rehabilitation.”
Nxumalo added:
Nxumalo said the department was aware of “comical acts” by inmates, which were captured by illegal cellphones.
“We will remove contraband without fear, and discipline those who possess and smuggle them to our facilities. The perpetrators have identified themselves through social media platforms, and their action will assist in terms of the disciplinary processes.”
He said a full-scale investigation would be launched, and the festive season security operation would continue.
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