Portfolio Committee to visit Groenpunt prison after riots

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services will visit the Groenpunt Maximum Security correctional centre in Deneysville next week.

This follows the violent riot that broke out at the prison earlier this week. Committee Chairperson, Vincent Smuts, says they will assess measures put in place to defuse the situation, and address all shortcomings that led to the riot.

On Monday, 700 inmates at the centre wielded home-made weapons, smashed walls and set cells and offices alight.
At least seven warders and 50 prisoners were injured.

Rioting prisoners demanded, amongst others, that the managers at the prison be fired.