The Department of Correctional Services has accused prisoner rights activist Golden Miles Bhudu of the South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR) “and other individuals” of instigating inmates to revolt.
The Department has called it irresponsible and reckless and The is currently engaging with relevant law enforcement agencies to take necessary action.
Prisoners across South Africa were set to embark on an indefinite “peaceful strike” on Monday to demand the government to cut down the overcrowded prison population to protect them from coronavirus infection.
Bhudu reportedly said his organisation had used WhatsApp groups to mobilise thousands of prisoners to support his call for the release of “half” of the prison population.
The mobilisation for the release of prisoners followed reports of 79 COVID-19 positive cases in East London and Port Elizabeth prisons.
Correctional services expressed a deep concerned over mobilisation and propagation of chaos inside correctional centres.
A spokesperson for Correctional Services Singabakho Nxumalo said his Department has activated their Disaster Management Response Strategy to rapidly identify positive cases to isolate those infected.
He said health care teams on-site are armed with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and together with the Department of Health a list of Hospitals and health care centres have been identified for inmates who might need to be admitted.
The Department said appropriate safe escorts will be employed to limit the risk of officials and hospitals receiving inmates in need of care.
Additional reporting by African News Agency (ANA)
