Deneysville, Free State - Around 50 inmates of the Groenpunt prison in Deneysville, Free State, suffered minor injuries in a stampede when police entered the facility early on Tuesday morning, police said.
A riot broke had broken out at around 4pm on Monday when prisoners refused to eat and started setting fires.
Police spokesman Constable Peter Kareli told Sapa at daybreak the situation was peaceful.
"We are now going back to assess the damage and investigate what led to the unrest," he told Sapa. He said five prison staff suffered minor injuries.
SABC radio news, which put the staff injury toll at nine, reported that the riot had happened at the maximum security section when some 227 inmates barricaded their unit to prevent officials from entering.
Police re-inforcemenrts from Vereeniging, Sasolburg and Welkom were called in and stun grenades were used to enable them to gain entry, according the report. - Sapa