Covid-19 cases at prisons could be ‘catastrophic’
HUMAN rights organisation Sonke Gender Justice says it fears the more than 160 positive Covid-19 cases at prisons represent “only the beginning of a catastrophic increase in positive cases”.
Two East London inmates died of complications arising from Covid-19 this week, taking the number of deaths at facilities to three. One death in the Western Cape is under investigation.
Sonke’s national prisons co-ordinator Zia Wasserman has called on the government to release certain categories of detainees in order to reduce overcrowding and curb the spread of Covid-19.
“We are highly concerned about the spread of Covid-19 in prisons, and fear that this may only be the beginning of a catastrophic increase in positive cases.
“This is largely due to the high levels of overcrowding, which makes social distancing practically impossible.
“Furthermore, anecdotal evidence tells us there are woefully insufficient supplies of personal protection equipment (PPE) being distributed among the staff and those detained within the prisons.
While we commend the department for its screening campaign, we are worried that not enough tests are being conducted,” Wasserman said.
The Western Cape had 52 cases at correctional facilities, of which 49 of the sufferers were officials.
Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said there were 165 cases in the department and health-care practitioners were already on site, providing an array of health services. They had been provided with adequate PPE and were attending to those in need of urgent medical care.
“DCS is saddened to confirm two deaths of inmates with underlying co-morbid conditions at an East London centre and we send our sincere condolences to their families.
“We continue to work with the Department of Health, adhering to all their guidelines in fighting against this pandemic,” Nxumalo said.
In his Cape Times column Beautiful Truths this week, legal practitioner and listed counsel of the International Criminal Court, Michael Donen SC,
A COUPLE arrested on suspicion of breaking lockdown regulations at Muizenberg beach said they are concerned about potentially having a criminal record, and what that would mean regarding visas.
Liam Bulgen said he and his fiancee Tereza Cervinkova were arrested after walking on Muizenberg beach on Monday.
He said he had chased after his toddler, who ran off on to the sand.
The young family was taking advantage of a relaxed lockdown restriction that allows people to walk and exercise between 6am and 9am, within a 5km radius from their homes.
Beaches and parks, however, remain closed.
“We are fortunate to live close to the beach and we were walking together with everyone on the boardwalk. My daughter was on my back and she made a noise and I took her off. She hopped over on to the sand and I ran after her. As I was trying to get her I heard a noise and within minutes, the police were there,” Bulgen said.
He said he was put into the back of a police van and his partner was put into another police car as she was breastfeeding their toddler.
“What was strange for us was that we didn’t know what was going on. One officer kept telling me I was stupid for taking a child out in public. We were wearing masks and some officers were not wearing masks. My partner started breastfeeding the child as we got closer to the van as she was crying. I was worried about my child and partner and they were driven to the station while she was breastfeeding.”
He said they were now concerned that they may get criminal records if found guilty by a court.
“They treated us like criminals even though we are innocent until proven guilty. They said that when she gets a criminal record she won’t be able to renew her visa.”
Bulgen said should this happen, he would consider applying for a visa in his fiancee’s home country, the Czech Republic.
He said he understood the position of the officers but believed the situation could have been handled better.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa confirmed the incident, saying the couple was charged for contravention of the Disaster Management Act regulations.