Privately run prison alleges sabotage

ALLEGATIONS of sabotage aimed at destabilising a South African maximum security prison housing thousands of violent inmates have emerged a day after a dramatic hostage drama unfolded.

A warder was freed by a team of police Special Task Force officers when they stormed a cell in Mangaung Prison where she was held for 13 hours on Wednesday.

The woman, who escaped an at- tempted rape at the same prison four years ago, was snatched as she led 60 prisoners back to their cells after their exercise session.

Her alleged kidnappers, armed with screwdrivers, were – according to police – serving sentences for rape, murder and robbery.

They face charges of kidnapping and attempted murder after allegedly stabbing two other warders.

The prison is one of South Africa’s few privately run prisons and is overseen by G4S Africa, which said yesterday seven warders had been stabbed in the last two weeks.

4S Africa regional president Andy Baker said they had sworn affidavits from prisoners that they were being paid to carry out attacks.

“These payments are financed by individuals outside the prison . . . the situation is incredibly serious. We have identified possible suspects and opened criminal cas- es with police,” he said.

Baker declined to comment on the motive.

“We assume it is linked to ongoing staffing strife.”

Two weeks, ago G4S fired more than 300 staff, including guards, affiliated to the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) who embarked on an illegal strike at the prison which houses 3 000 inmates.

Popcru’s Free State secretary, Lawrence Msinto, dismissed G4S’s allegations as propaganda.