JOHANNESBURG – Inmates at Baviaanspoort Correctional Center in Tshwane are on a hunger strike after their dinner on Monday was served without bread.
Offenders accused facility management of corruption and ill treatment. They vowed to continue their action, saying only those on medication and the elderly would be excluded from the strike.
Department of Correctional Services spokesman, Singabakho Nxumalo, confirmed that prisoners are on hunger strike but said they were not given bread because of an equipment failure at the local bakery supplier.
Members of the police have been brought in to monitor the situation.
“Operations at the bakery are also back to normal and the dysfunctional equipment has been attended to. It was necessary for the correctional centre to seek assistance from the police as back up to the Departmental Emergency Support Team in order to ensure that the situation remains under control.
“No act of violence and damage of state property was recorded,” said Nxumalo.
The department dismissed allegations of maladministration.
“The department has sufficient budget as well as a nutrition services policy that is aimed to maintain the health status of offenders and ensure provision of food with adequate nutritional value,” said Nxumalo.
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