16 April 2007
Correctional Services Deputy Minister Loretta Jacobus (today 16 April 2007)
and Judge Nathan Erasmus (last night 15 April 2007) of the Judicial
Inspectorate of Prison have visited the Krugersdorp Correctional Centre where
three offenders passed on over the weekend.
The Department has now been able to locate families of all three deceased
offenders, in order to share the sad news and to pass on messages of condolence
from Minister Ngconde Balfour. The three offenders are:
1. Simphiwe Tshabalala, a 28 year old male offender serving 24 months for
assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm who stayed in Kagiso with his
family based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape.
2. Patrick Nxumalo, a 36 year old male offender serving about one year four
months (463 days) for breaking parole conditions. He lived in Soweto.
3. Dudu Maqhiwa, a 35 year old male offender serving one year and four years
for malicious damage to property and theft respectively.
Six officials who allegedly intervened after the inter-gang conflict and
allegedly assaulted the three offenders have been arrested by the South African
Police Service last night (15 April 2007). They appeared in court briefly today
and have been remanded in custody for re-appearing on Thursday for bail
application.
The Acting National Commissioner Jabu Sishuba and Regional Commissioner
Vernie Petersen addressed officials of Krugersdorp Correctional Centre on
Sunday, 15 April 2007. The Department is taking steps to de-brief both
officials and offenders of Krugersdorp Correctional Centre in order to provide
them with appropriate counselling and support in this very traumatic situation,
while also stepping up security to prevent any reprisals or retaliatory attacks
and ensure safety and security for offenders, members and partners.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
16 April 2007
Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www-dcs.pwv.gov.za/)
