'Stripper' incident misconstrued by ill-minded individuals: PSA
Four correctional services officials have been suspended in connection with a Youth Day strip show at the Johannesburg Prison (Sun City) which went viral on social media.
However, the PSA now claims the scantily clad women weren't strippers, but professional dancers.
The PSA's Monica Venter says they are in possession of the 'correct images', but was unable to confirm whether the images that went viral are authentic or not.
"PSA is in possession of the correct photographs which shows that the dancers were clothed in appropriate, suitable dancing attire (tights) and not half naked as alleged," says Venter.
"Individuals on social media often take such an innocent activity and then change and adapt the images to suit their own agendas while hurting innocent people in the process."
Venter says it is unfortunate that what really happened with the dance number was construed by ill-minded individuals with their own agenda.
"It is unfortunate that social media took an innocent entertainment program of the youth day celebrations at the prison and turned it into something ugly. Youth day celebrations are celebrated every year in the prisons with various programs," says Venter.
According to Venter, it often happens that employers will simply suspend and charge staff members for misconduct without first investigating and determining the real facts.
"This is done in order to satisfy the public and specifically the social media public that the employer is dealing with such kind of behaviour, while no grounds exist for the allegations," says Venter.
PSA represents the majority of the suspended officials.
The Department of Correctional Services says four officials have been suspended, while nine others are under consideration for suspension.
"The investigations are continuing and we will keep the stakeholders updated following the finalisation of the investigation," the department's Logan Maistry says.