Protester in high-care prison

JOHANNESBURG: Former Wits University SRC president Mcebo Dlamini is being kept in a high-care centre of the Johannesburg Prison as an awaiting-trial prisoner – despite the centre’s facilities being reserved for hardened criminals.

Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane revealed this in the provincial legislature yesterday.

Dlamini was arrested on October 16 and charged with theft, malicious damage to property, public violence and assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. His two bail applications failed.

Nkosi-Malobane said she visited Dlamini in prison and found him in high spirits. She also defended the action taken against protesters, saying “the use of minimum force is the last resort to curb the current situation”.