Issued by: Ministry of Correctional Services
PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES: DR S E MZIMELA
CAPE TOWN 2 SEPTEMBER 1996
Today I was briefed by senior officials of the Department of Correctional Services about alleged irregularities at the Victor Verster, Johannesburg and Pollsmoor prisons.
I have also been informed that the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services discussed this matter today and that they asked for an Independent National Investigation into the matter.
Although I share the committee's concerns about the alleged malpractices at some prisons, I do not agree that an Independent National Investigation is the proper way to deal with the matter.
At this stage the allegations are unsubstantiated. Therefore, notwithstanding the investigations which have already been launched internally by my department, I believe that these allegations should first and foremost also be investigated by the SA Police. I have subsequently instructed my Department to call in the police to also investigate all the allegations as a matter or urgency.
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