According to reports, two senior officials, including an area commissioner at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town are facing disciplinary action after allegations about inmates receiving special treatment were made by another inmate.
Mosele Sehloho, administrative secretary for the regional commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), spoke to the Cape Argus about the matter, and simply said: “(what) you are referring to is between the employer and the employee and is information that we, therefore, cannot divulge”.
However, IOL reports that National departmental spokesperson Logan Maistry confirmed that the two officials have been flagged for disciplinary action. Maistry reportedly said that area commissioner Ntobeko Mketshane, has been suspended. He also confirmed that a senior official, Wongama Mbombo, was dismissed.
The South African Sentenced and Awaiting Trial Prisoners Organisation (Sasapo) chairperson Phindile Zweni told reporters that corruption within the DCS has been on the rise especially during the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to Zweni, some officials have been using the lockdown as an opportunity to sell contraband and cellphones to inmates leveraging the current prohibition on visitations.
Sasapo reportedly also has information from reliable sources within DCS about “special inmates” being allowed to spend nights with their partners in favour of money and drinks at shebeens.
According to IOL’s report, Zweni said Sasapo has a team of private investigators who are investigating the serious allegations levelled at senior members within the department but could not divulge it at this stage.
Meanwhile, Popcru deputy secretary, Xolile Marimani, said if there is a case currently being investigated, there should be an alternative placement for an employee instead of suspension.
