Johannesburg – A standoff on Monday night between prison warders and inmates resisting a routine search for contraband in their cells at the Boksburg Correctional Centre ended after rubber bullets were used to subdue them.
Commenting on the disturbances at the centre, the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on Tuesday said, “calm and order has been restored following an incident on Monday, 2 January 2023, where a group of inmates became unruly and barricaded a sectional gate during the searching operation”.
The DCS said inmates set up the barricade in retaliation to a mandatory searching operation by the National Task Team of the DCS.
The search for contraband – drugs, cellphones, and other illegal items smuggled into the prison – was part of the correctional centre’s festive season Security Operation.
Some inmates complained they had been beaten and shot at with rubber bullets by the warders for no reason.
However, in a strongly worded statement, the DCS said it “shall never hesitate to act with vigour in order to ensure that there is no dereliction from the core mandate of corrections”.
The statement added: “Inmates attempting to undermine the authority of the state know fully of the consequences and DCS will never compromise the safety and security of other inmates, officials, members of the community, and service providers.
“Proliferation of mobile phones and other contrabands is a grave concern for the Department and these have to be removed from our facilities.
“Some of the images circulating via social media platforms emanate from inmates, making a mockery of the correctional system.
“This is a clear indication that the few unruly inmates who sought to prevent the searching exercise – knew fully that they were hiding contrabands in their cells.”
The DCS warned that those inmates involved in preventing the search operation will be identified and corrective measures will be taken against them.
“We remain committed to incarcerating inmates in a humane and secure environment,” the DCS statement said.
“The DCS is aware and has seen the comical acts by inmates captured through illegal cellphones in an attempt to divert attention from deviant behaviour.
“We will remove this contraband without fear, and discipline those who possess and smuggle them to our facilities.
“The perpetrators have identified themselves through social media platforms and their actions will assist in terms of the disciplinary processes.”
The DCS said a full-scale investigation will be launched and the “festive season security operation shall continue as per the schedule”.
