Africa-Press – South-Africa. Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola said the instigators of the fire at the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility in Limpopo had been identified – and an investigation would be launched.
Lamola addressed the media after an inspection with Deputy Minister Nkosi Patekile Holomisa on Tuesday.
It was revealed the inmates started the fire due to grievances with the facility’s management.
Lamola said the infrastructural damage was extensive, and a significant portion of the privately run facility was damaged.
Inmates were relocated to safe zones after the prison, run by the South African Custodial Management via a Public Private Partnership, caught fire.
The correctional services department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said the fire claimed the life of an inmate who was serving a sentence for murder and malicious damage to property.
He added that 18 inmates were injured in the fire.
Lamola said the prisoners complained about the management of the facility and had expressed unhappiness about disciplinary action taken against an inmate relocated to a special care unit.
He said: “An outbreak of unrest and destruction at the facility prompted the South African Custodial Management company to declare an emergency. As a result, the Department of Correctional Services intervened to restore stability to the facility.”
Lamola commended the officials who had prevented escapes and prioritised the safety of inmates.
He said more prisoners were being relocated to different facilities across the country.
Lamola said the inmates had the right to air their grievances, but violence and destruction of property were not the answer.
“The Department of Correctional Services strictly prohibits inappropriate behaviour in correctional facilities. Any such behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
“While it’s understandable for offenders to raise concerns, it’s unacceptable for them to destroy property without consequences,” he said.
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