The DA says it will be calling for a full and thorough investigation into the events that led to the death of an inmate at St Albans Prison on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth.
DA Shadow Minister on Correctional Services, James Selfe, said the inmate’s death was confirmed to him by the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Zach Modise.
In a statement on Monday, Selfe said that he was “deeply concerned by reports that one inmate has been killed and another critically injured at the St Albans Prison in Port Elizabeth.”
He said the DA would “request that the Department conduct a full and thorough investigation into the events that led to this death and injury.”
“It is not the first time that violent events have occurred at this prison and we cannot allow such incidents to go unaccounted for,” Selfe said.
“The DA will further be writing to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services to request the Minister to appear before the Committee as soon as possible at the start of 2017 to account to Parliament for the events,” he added.
Meanwhile, according to other unconfirmed reports seven Correctional Services officers were also stabbed during the fight which was reportedly sparked by the stabbing of a prison warder.
The incident apparently took place during meal time.
Outside visits to inmates have been cancelled.
