Durban - Over one thousand prisoners were evacuated when a fire broke out and destroyed a large part of the Glencoe prison complex in Dundee in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal Correctional Services Spokesperson, Thulani Mdluli said just over a thousand inmates were successfully moved to safety after the fire broke out.
“All 1022 offenders incarcerated in the Centre were successfully evacuated without injuries, including their personal belongings,” said Mdluli.
He added that the fire burnt down 70 percent of the prison.
Mdluli said the prison will remain closed. All prisoners had been moved to other prisons in the area.
He confirmed that no prisoners had escaped during the fire.
Provincial police spokesperson Major Thulani Zwane said a case of arson has been opened and was being investigated as the cause of the fire was unknown at this stage.
ANA