Cape Town – The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) members said they were shocked to learn of videos doing the rounds on social media that showed a person dressed as a warder being assaulted by men in orange prison overalls.
In one of the videos, three people dressed as inmates are seen assaulting and attempting to pin to the wall the man dressed as a warder.
In a second video, one of the “inmates” is holding a gun.
Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said: “We learnt from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) statement that these acts were orchestrated, and are in fact not genuine.
“We are, however, disappointed that such acts could be portrayed, especially at a time when we have been seeing many altercations wherein many of our correctional officials have been assaulted, even losing their lives.
’’This is but the lived realities of a majority of officers, and we have been pursuing the need to relook corrections in the country as inmates cannot lie idle, but should be playing a role that ensures they improve themselves through correctional centres being self-sustainable.”
The DCS said it would take action against the “provocateur”.
Department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said: “DCS is aware of videos making the rounds on social media, depicting three inmates assaulting an official and an inmate carrying a gun and a knife.
“DCS can categorically state that this is all an act and nothing close to reality.
“These videos contravene Section 124 of the Correctional Services Act, Act 11 of 1998, which states that any unauthorised person who wears or uses the departmental uniform, distinctive badge or insignia of the department or of a custody official or anything deceptively resembling them is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or, in default of payment, to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to such imprisonment without the option of a fine or both.”
Cape Times