that there is no water at Pretoria Central Prison
7 July 2006
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) wish to reaffirm its earlier
response on allegations that are currently cycling in the media that there is
no water at Pretoria Central Prison.
It is untrue that there is no water at Pretoria Central Prison as some of
the media reports have suggested. On the contrary there is water at Pretoria
Central Prison and only Medium C is occasionally experiencing water
shortages.
The building structure of Medium C has four floors that are designed to
accommodate approximately 36 offenders per floor. At the present moment
offenders that are housed at Medium C are more than the capacity of the
building.
This means that there is a high demand for water because of overcrowding.
Correctional Services officials and Marine Protected Area (MPA) engineerâs
representatives, a company appointed to supply water at DCS facilities, had a
fruitful meeting this morning to address the situation. Due to excessive
demands for water the engineering company recommended that Correctional
Services should request the Department of Public Works to install a water pump
booster.
On Monday, 10 July 2006, DCS maintenance section officials will have a
follow up meeting with the Department of Public Works to request them to
install the water pump booster as a matter of urgency.
Meanwhile Correctional Services have requested the engineering company to
supply Medium C with an additional water tank. As from today gravity feed
systems which are responsible for other unaffected sections will also be used
as an additional water resource for Medium C. A message has been placed on
notice boards appealing to offenders housed at Medium C to manage the use of
water properly in their cells.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Tel: (012) 305 8204
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
7 July 2006
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