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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 11 2012 02:39 | LAST UPDATED Feb 11 2012 02:39 |
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About 900 prisoners have embarked on a hunger strike at the Baviaanspoort medium security prison outside Pretoria, a rights group said on Wednesday. "We received reports late last night [Tuesday] that about 900 male inmates embarked on an indefinite hunger strike at the facility, until their demands are met," said Golden Miles Bhudu, spokesperson for the South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR). There had been "unhappiness, despondency and discontent" between prisoners and prison management within the facility for a long time. "We have been receiving complaints from prisoners on a daily basis," Bhudu said. Complaints included a dysfunctional parole board, assaults, intimidation, victimisation of SAPOHR members, inmates not being given exercise time as prescribed by the Correctional Services Act, and the prison tuck shops being closed on weekends and only partly open during the week. "Prisoners have also informed us that two correctional officials in the prison have been acting as if they are the law and therefore act with impunity ... this results in prisoners fearing them with a passion." There could be a "violent rebellion" if grievances were not dealt with, he said. The Department of Correctional Services was not immediately available for comment. - Sapa  CONTINUES BELOW TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
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