Shock at warder assault on video
POLICE and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) members were shocked to learn of videos doing the rounds on social media that showed a person dressed as a warder being assaulted by men in orange prison overalls.
In one of the videos, three people dressed as inmates are seen assaulting and attempting to pin to the wall the man dressed as a warder.
In a second video, one of the “inmates” is holding a gun.
Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said: “We learnt from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) that these acts were orchestrated, and in fact not genuine. We are, however, disappointed that such acts could be portrayed, especially at a time of many altercations wherein many of our correctional officials have been assaulted, even losing their lives. This is but the lived realities of a majority of officers. We’ve been pursuing the need to relook corrections as inmates cannot lie idle, but should ensure they improve themselves through correctional centres being self-sustainable.”
The DCS said it would take action against the “provocateur”. Spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said: “DCS is aware of videos making the rounds on social media, depicting three inmates assaulting an official and an inmate carrying a gun and a knife. DCS can categorically state that this is all an act.
“These videos contravene the Correctional Services Act, which states any unauthorised person who wears or uses the departmental uniform, distinctive badge or insignia of the department
or of a custody official or deceptively resembling them is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine, imprisonment or both.”