Behaviour of 'drunken' commissioner to be probed

The Correctional Services Ministry is investigating reports of drunken behaviour by its national commissioner, spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said on Tuesday.

Commissioner Vernon Petersen reportedly misbehaved at a dinner attended by Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour and several of his African counterparts at Kievietskroon, outside Pretoria, on Thursday.

Home affairs and defence ministers Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Mosiuoa Lekota also attended, Beeld reported.

As Lekota addressed the guests, Petersen allegedly shouted: “Tell them your history, Terror ... We know all of that, Terror, tell us something we don’t know.”

When Balfour spoke, Petersen reportedly said: “Ngconde, Ngconde, please finish up, we want to dance.”

Wolela confirmed on Tuesday morning that the department was investigating the reports and that the minister considered the allegations in a serious light.—Sapa