Cape Town – Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has disclosed to Parliament that 42 prison officials have been implicated in criminal activities since January of the previous year.
One official was suspended for three months after assisting a prisoner’s escape in Johannesburg, EWN reported on Friday.
Other reported crimes include drug smuggling and alleged excessive force against inmates, the minister said.
Lamola said that nine officials have been dismissed for criminal acts, while many others are undergoing internal disciplinary processes.
Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has told Parliament that 42 prison officials have been involved in criminality since January last year.
One of the officials was suspended for just 3 months for helping a prisoner escape in JHB. https://t.co/lfk4crjMuA— Megan S. (@SimplyMegszcpt) April 5, 2024
The Department of Correctional Services has a history of dealing with such cases, including the escape of notorious criminal Thabo Bester from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, he said.
Despite internal investigations and disciplinary hearings, some officials resigned before facing consequences.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
