Call for probe into alleged breach of Covid-19 regulations at Kimberley Correctional Centre

THE PUBLIC Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) has requested the regional commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services to investigate the alleged breach of Covid-19 regulations at Kimberley Correctional Centre.

PSA provincial manager Steve Ledibane said that employees at the facility were “unnecessarily exposed” to the pandemic after a senior official was placed under quarantine on May 6 for a period of 14 days along with other departmental officials.

“Members complained that the senior official was seen roaming around the Kimberley Correctional Centre on May 14, having discussions with fellow correctional officials without wearing a face mask, thereby placing the lives of other officials at risk,” said Ledibane.

He added that PSA shop stewards were apparently “threatened” when they approached the official, who responded in a “nonchalant and negative manner”.

“Shop stewards were warned that an investigation would be instituted against them. We see this as a form of harassment and victimisation. Officials in positions of power should serve as an example.”

Ledibane said that the union considered the alleged disregard of the Covid-19 regulations to be of a serious light.

“We request that an investigation be instituted with immediate effect and that an urgent response be provided to us within the next seven days, failing which we will escalate the matter to the national commissioner for his intervention.”

The national spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services said the department was awaiting a report from the region before it could comment on the allegation.