Sex, porn and graft in jail
EX-WARDER: CLAIMS OF SEX BETWEEN PRISONERS AND STAFF, MONEY WASTED
A disgruntled former prison employee lifts the lid on alleged money wasting, sex sessions between staff and inmates, and female staff watching porn with men serving time at Modderbee prison in Springs.
Female staff member watched porn with inmates – and later dismissed.
Adisgruntled former prison employee in Springs has accused his former managers of firing him to cover up corruption and mismanagement at the Modderbee Correctional Centre on the East Rand.
The SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) took up the fight and paid for former warder Themba Masango’s legal representation when he took the matter to the Labour Court earlier this year, claiming unfair dismissal.
One of the allegations, which formed part of an investigation by the department, involved the construction of a Wall of Remembrance, which allegedly cost R500 000, and the renovation of a shooting range at an alleged cost of R700 000.
A report seen by The Citizen shows the investigation into the matter by the department’s Investigative Unit found neither allegation to be true.
Despite this, Saftu, through its affiliation with the South African Liberating Public Sector Workers Union, has vowed to take the matter on.
Masango’s lawyer, Thabang Mathibe, said papers were filed at the Labour Court in January after their challenge of his dismissal at the bargaining council last year confirmed his dismissal.
He was found guilty of insulting a senior official, apparently during a confrontation about his allegations of corruption.
Masango also claimed his former work place was rife with shocking abuse of power by senior prison staff, including sexual relations between prisoners and staff. One of the reports seen by
The Citizen relates to the dismissal of a female staff member, who was caught watching pornography with prison inmates – a matter which surfaced after Masango and another colleague apparently made several complaints to management. She was later dismissed.
Saftu took over Masango’s case after he claimed he received no help from his previous union, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union.
Saftu secretary-general Thobile Ntola said the federation had vowed to uncover any corruption taking place at the facility and would fight Masango’s case.
“We are not surprised because it is a trend when corrupt management tries to cover up their deeds, it’s natural that they go after the workers and it is a problem we are facing all over the world where corruption is institutionalised.
It has been done by managers and it has been done by government and [trade union federation] Cosatu itself, so we are not surprised this is how they treat workers.”
The facility is no stranger to controversy. Media reports of abuse suffered by prisoners and warders at the prison have been circulating since 2008.
In 2014, a report by the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council found that senior management at the facility unfairly
dismissed a female employee after she was allegedly sexually harassed by her superior.