Kroonstad prisoners embark on hunger strike

Sixteen awaiting-trial prisoners have embarked on a hunger strike at a Kroonstad prison, the Department of Correctional Services said on Thursday.

Court opens door for Beuthin's bail

The Johannesburg High Court has opened the way for former bouncer Gary Beuthin to be freed on bail. The court set aside the Correctional Services Department's decision to revoke Beuthin's parole. It also ordered that he be transferred "with immediate effect" to Johannesburg prison's Medium A section for awaiting trial prisoners.

Judge slams state attorney's office over Beuthin case

The state attorney's office came under fire in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday for its handling of an application by attempted murder accused Gary Beuthin for a restraining order against prison authorities for alleged intimidation and victimisation.

Boeremag trialists' privacy bid fails in court

Six of the Boeremag treason trialists in C-Max prison will have to put up with warders watching them around the clock, the Pretoria High Court ruled on Thursday. Judge Charl Rabie turned down a bid by six of the 21 accused for an order to allow them to paste paper over windows in their cells.

Jo'burg awaiting-trial prisoners on hunger strike

Awaiting-trial prisoners at Johannesburg Prison embarked on a hunger strike on Sunday following the removal of radios from their cells, the South African Prisoners' Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr) said. Spokesperson Miles Bhudu said Sapohr was informed of this action on Saturday.

Shaik back in hospital for tests, says brother

Convicted businessman Schabir Shaik is undergoing tests at a Durban hospital to determine the extent of organ damage, if any, caused by persistent problems with high blood pressure, his brother said on Friday. Mo Shaik said: "He is undergoing tests in terms of organ damage. It's a case of seeing what there is and what to do about it."

R10-billion for police, prosecutors

Over R10-billion will be spent on strengthening the police force and judiciary over the next three years, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel said in his budget speech on Wednesday. There would be more than 200 000 police officers by the end of March 2011, up 22% from the 163 000 police officers in 2006/07.

All eyes on Manuel ahead of Budget

Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's national budget speech on Wednesday is even more keenly anticipated this year in view of the electricity crisis and its anticipated negative effects on the economy, and Democratic Alliance spokesperson Kobus Marais has urged Manuel to tackle the crisis head-on.

Schoolboy sentenced for killing fellow pupil

A 16-year-old schoolboy who stabbed a fellow pupil to death was sentenced to six years in prison, suspended for five years, by the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Friday. The youth may not be named as he is a minor. He was ordered not to commit a similar crime within five years or he would be arrested.

Prison whistle-blower doctor redeployed

A doctor who spoke out about medical conditions at Pollsmoor Prison while working there has been redeployed to another clinic, the South African Broadcasting Corporation said on Friday. Paul Theron withdrew his court application to return to the correctional facility on Friday.

Prisoner allegedly beaten to death by guards

A 28-year-old prisoner was allegedly beaten to death by Department of Correctional Services officers at the instruction of a senior prison officer at Pietermaritzburg's New Prison, the Witness newspaper reported on Friday. An investigation has been launched into the death of the prisoner.

Woman held for springing convicts from prison

A Johannesburg High Court employee was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the unlawful release of hardened criminals from prison, Johannesburg police said. Spokesperson Inspector Sanku Tsunke said the 30-year-old woman was expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court later on Tuesday.

Pollsmoor whistle-blower gets his job back

The Cape Town Labour Court has ordered that whistle-blowing prison doctor Paul Theron get his job in Pollsmoor back. He was suspended after telling the Inspecting Judge of Prisons and a parliamentary committee about what he said was an acute healthcare crisis at Pollsmoor, including chronic understaffing and lack of disease control.

Shaik back behind bars after minor stroke

Fraud convict Schabir Shaik is back in prison after spending 10 days in Durban's Albert Luthuli Hospital after suffering a mild stroke, the Department of Correctional Services said on Saturday. Spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said Shaik moved back to Westville Prison on Tuesday.

Prison escapee dies in shoot-out

A Qalakabusha prison escapee died on Friday morning after a shoot-out with law enforcement officials, KwaZulu-Natal police said. Police spokesperson Captain Jabulani Mdletshe said the incident took place at 2am in Mtubatuba. Xolani Ngobese and nine other convicted criminals escaped from the prison in northern KwaZulu-Natal on August 4 this year.

Beuthin's parole to be revoked

The parole of former bouncer Gary Beuthin is to be revoked following his re-arrest in connection with an assault case, the Department of Correctional Services said on Thursday. Correctional services spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said the department was in the process of revoking his parole conditions.

SABC: Inmates buy escape maps from warders

Prisoners are preparing to buy maps and plans from Department of Correctional Services officials and warders, a media report said on Friday. The maps apparently detail how the department plans to prevent escapes this festive season, including when and where warders will be on duty.

UCT professor killed for his bag in Rondebosch

A University of Cape Town (UCT) commercial law professor was stabbed to death during a robbery in Rondebosch on Friday, Western Cape police said. Police spokesperson Captain Elliot Sinyangana said the professor was walking down Roslyn Road between 6pm and 6.30pm on Friday evening. He was then approached by two men who tried to grab his bag.

It's hard to visit Shaik, family complains

Schabir Shaik's wife is allowed to visit her husband once a week in hospital, while other family members need to go through "red tape" at the Department of Correctional Services to be allowed to visit Shaik, the family said on Friday. Yunus Shaik was speaking after his brother suffered a mild stroke and was admitted to hospital in Durban.

Shaik back in hospital after mild stroke

Schabir Shaik is back in hospital after suffering a mild stroke last week, the Department of Correctional services said on Thursday. Spokesperson Manelisi Wolela said Shaik had been transferred from prison to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli hospital in Durban.

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