DCS to transfer over 3 000 inmates after Makhado prison fire
Minister of Correctional Services Ronald Lamola says all the 3 000 inmates at the privately run Kutama-Sinthumule correctional centre in Makhado will be transferred.
One prisoner died when a fire broke out at the Limpopo-based facility on Monday, while two others were taken to hospital with moderate injuries.
Lamola said on Tuesday that the preliminary investigation indicates that the fire was caused by inmates who had grievances with the prison’s management.
The facility has been run by South African Custodial Management in a public-private partnership since 2002.
Lamola said all 3 000 inmates will be transferred to various correctional centres while repair work is being done.
"The damage caused by the fire is extensive, destroying a significant portion of the facility. The inmates started the fire due to their grievances with the management and unhappiness with the disciplinary action taken against the inmate who was moved to a special care unit. An outbreak of unrest and destruction prompted the management to declare an emergency.
"The facility is housing 3 024 inmates, and the intention is to transfer all of them to other correctional centres across the country.
"At this stage, we don't know the cost of the damage. We regret that there was a fatality during the incident, and the circumstances are not clear and are being investigated. We can confirm that there are inmates who were injured and are in hospital," Lamola said.
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