Probe as sex abuse, extortion claims rock Pretoria prison - IOL

The Department of Correctional Services has launched an investigation into the allegations that newly incarcerated inmates are force to buy beds or pay with sex.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has appointed a team to investigate the allegations of sexual assault and the selling of beds to newly admitted inmates at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility in Pretoria. 

IOL exposed this alleged misconduct when it reported on August 17 that new inmates are forced to pay R240 each for beds; otherwise, they would sleep on the concrete floor. 

Some alleged that inmates unable to pay were subjected to sexual assault or rape by their stronger and feared counterparts.

It was reported that the money for beds would be deposited into the bank account of a man who called the shots from outside the prison walls.

Responding to these allegations, Correctional Services spokesperson Logan Maistry said at the weekend that the department’s National Commissioner Makhothi Thobakgale’s team will investigate the allegations of sexual assault, extortion, and any related misconduct and refer the outcome to the police for criminal investigation.

“The allegation that beds are sold for cash and that inmates who cannot pay are forced to sleep on the floor or pay with sex is part of the investigation appointed by the National Commissioner,” Maistry said.

He also refuted allegations that sexual assault in prison facilities was rife but said DCS takes such allegations seriously.

Maistry said the department does not have a policy necessitating the selling of beds to inmates.

“The allocation of bed space is an administrative function and is not for sale,” he said.

IOL reported that it was tipped off by former inmates and claimed that, on their arrival, they were given cellphones to call their family members to deposit money into a given bank account. 

Maistry urged anyone with specific information to provide it to the DCS, the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) and Independent Correctional Centre Visitors (ICCVs).

“Extortion of inmates by other inmates is prohibited and is dealt with through disciplinary and criminal processes.” 

In a statement issued on August 18, the South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR) alleged that the mistreatment of inmates at Kgosi Mampuru is widespread in many correctional centres across the country and involves prison warders as enablers - allegations that Maistry did not deny or admit. 

However, he maintained that DCS prohibits any collusion between officials and gangs or involvement in the abuse of inmates.

“Where officials are found to have been involved in sexual assault, corruption, or facilitating gang activity, they are subjected to disciplinary processes, which may result in dismissal, and criminal cases are opened with SAPS, as DCS does not tolerate such conduct.

“Any official found to have been involved in sexual assault, corruption, or collusion with gangs is subjected to internal disciplinary processes in terms of the Disciplinary Code and Procedure, which may result in dismissal, and criminal cases are opened with SAPS for investigation and prosecution by the NPA.

“DCS recognises that correctional centres house diverse populations, including vulnerable groups such as first-time offenders, young offenders, LGBTQIA+ persons, and persons with disabilities,” Maistry said.

He said DCS would conduct assessments when receiving inmates to establish their vulnerability, and those who are at risk of being abused are placed in single cells, special care sections, or closer to supervision, where gang activities are prohibited. 

According to Maistry, DCS respects the human rights and dignity of all inmates, as they are protected by the Constitution.

“No inmate deserves to be ill-treated, assaulted, or raped.

“Ill-treatment is not part of any sentence imposed by a court and is not condoned by DCS,” he said.

SAPOHR said bed-for-cash and sex have “been the norm in prisons”.

“Particularly against the weak, vulnerable, first-time incarcerated, and awaiting-trial offenders. 

“If the money is not coming, forced unnatural sex, rape, or non-consensual sexual relationships are the alternative,” said SAPOHR spokesperson Golden Miles Bhudu.

The Just Detention International South Africa (JDI-SA) co-director, Prince Nare, recently said the issue of inmate sexual assault has been a prison culture for years but has been shunned by prison authorities and society. 

He said that upon release, victims share their painful experiences, including instances where prison warders facilitate rapes.  

“They are forced or tricked into sexual relationships, and this abuse has been taking place for a very, very long time.

“It is an expected culture inside, but it can be stopped,” he said. 

He described this problem as being serious, while officials “turn a blind eye”.