Prisoners threaten nudity, hunger strike

THOUSANDS of prisoners across the country will go on “nudity and hunger” protest action, demanding President Cyril Ramaphosa lift the continuing ban on prison visits. This was revealed by prison rights activist Golden Miles Bhudu.

The ban was imposed three months ago under level 5 lockdown as part of limiting the spread of Covid-19 within the prison population.

SA Prisoners’ Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr) spokesperson Bhudu said offenders were left disappointed when Ramaphosa this week announced a further relaxation of the Covid-19 regulations but left out the prison visits ban.

Bhudu said he had written to Ramaphosa and Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola, asking them to indicate before

June 17 when the ban on prison visits would be lifted, but he had not received a response.

“As from Monday (next week), Sapohr will have no other alternative and as a last resort has called for prison disobedience in South African prisons.

“This action will include (prisoners) refusing to work, stripping naked, refusing to eat and be counted, mobilising and conscientising the prisoner population to stand up and fight for their rights,” said Bhudu.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo insisted that visitation would remain suspended as “a measure to buffer heightened risk of infections and flatten the curve”.

Bhudu said Ramaphosa should have considered that the visits were integral to the muchneeded rehabilitation of prisoners.