DCS and SAPS tackle spiralling gang-related attacks on wardens
Two wardens from the Goodwood correctional facility were seriously injured after they were both stabbed by an offender whilst they were unlocking cell number C10 in order to prepare daily meals for the offenders yesterday at about 8am. It is believed that the incident is gang-related. The two wardens were rushed to the nearby N1 City hospital where they were treated for the injuries and later discharged, they are both at home as we speak.
Accounts received from other inmates revealed that an offender who had been transferred from St. Albans in Port Elizabeth had bragged to the other offenders that he was a general of the 28s gang. He was then immediately forced to prove his claims. That is when he allegedly stabbed the officials who had opened the cells to that the offenders can have their breakfast.
In another incident, an offender had boiling water thrown at him in a nearby cell number C6 after a fight had broken out between members of the 26s and 28s gangs. The offender was later rushed to hospital for medical treatment.
On 18th January this year four correctional officials had to be rushed to hospital after they had boiling water thrown at them by offenders whilst they were conducting a search operation at Pollsmoor’s Medium B section.
Yesterday at around noon members of the DCS Emergency Support Team were reinforced by close to 150 officers from the SA Police Services in conducting search-and-seizure operations in the affected cells at the correctional facility. One cellular phone, a charger, sharp shaving blades and a few self-made knives were confiscated.
Police have opened a criminal case and are still investigating the incident. The culprit was isolated from the rest of the offender population and is currently incarcerated in a single cell.
Western Cape Regional Commissioner Delekile Klaas held a lengthy behind-the-scenes meeting with the Provincial Commissioner of the SA Police Service. This meeting’s focus centred around intensifying proactive and effective mechanisms of detecting any similar future potential incidents, the spiraling gang activities in correctional facilities around the Western Cape, and strengthening other areas of cooperation between the two institutions.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation.
For further enquiries contact:
Simphiwe Xako
Tel: 021 550 6018
Cell: 079 501 0272
