Free State – Groenpunt’s prisoners have threatened to continue burning jail cells if their grievances were not addressed by Minister of Correctional Services S’bu Ndebele.

 

The angry prisoners from the Groenpunt maximum security wing in the Free State went on the rampage on Monday afternoon, setting fire to the administrative block and burning their mattresses and bedding.

 

On Tuesday morning, Medium A prisoners joined in, also burning mattresses and bedding.

 

Six prison cells were badly burnt during the riot and several were locks tampered with.

 

The department said damage, which amounted to millions of rand, included three administration offices that were completely burnt, destroying furniture and documents.

 

As a result, hundreds of inmates had to be transferred to other prisons. Deputy regional commissioner Grace Molatedi said they were rearranging things at the prison, a move that would result in maximum prisoners being transferred to ensure they are properly accommodated.

 

Prison insiders told The Star just after 5pm on Tuesday that some of the prisoners had been transferred to Westville and Kokstad prisons.

 

“They said those who were taken had played a role in influencing us into burning the prison,” one prisoner said, adding that they spent the entire day locked up on Tuesday, going out only to collect food from the dining area.

 

Correctional Services acting national commissioner Nontsikelelo Jolingana said security had been beefed up at the prison. She said extra warders had been deployed to the prison.

 

She said both the SAPS and her department were investigating the incident.

 

Jolingana described the maximum section as a mess.

 

“Police have cordoned off the scene. Violent actions by prisoners will not be entertained by the department. Charges will be brought against those implicated in this,” said Jolingana.

 

Prisoners told The Star on Tuesday night that they would continue burning the prison cells.

 

“We are going to burn this prison if they don’t listen to us. We are not going to listen to anyone else except the minister (Ndebele),” one prisoner said.

 

The prisoners said their main grievances were the prison’s poor rehabilitation programmes and a lack of medication at the prison hospital.

 

The inmates also claimed many HIV-positive prisoners were denied access to antiretrovirals.

 

“Sometimes prisoners go for days without getting their treatment. They are treating us like animals. They don’t care if the inmates get sick if they don’t take their medication regularly,” said one inmate.

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