Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour has ordered steps be taken to minimise the risk of a repeat of Monday’s fatal cell blaze at Pollsmoor prison in Cape Town.
He visited the prison on Tuesday morning to inspect the cells where six awaiting-trial inmates set fire to mattresses and bedding on Monday afternoon.
Three of them later died at the city’s Victoria hospital; the others are in a satisfactory condition.
Two single cells in the admissions centre were set alight and Correctional Services officials had to force their way in after the prisoners had blocked the doors.
Balfour said it does not appear the three men had intended to kill themselves.
”It probably was a very unfortunate mistake,” he said. ”But we still feel as Correctional Services that it’s something that shouldn’t happen.”
In a statement issued to media during the visit, he said he will do everything possible to establish the causes ”behind what appears to be irrational behaviour”.
An investigation into the incident was begun by area Commissioner Clifford Mkhetshane.
Correctional Services commissioner Linda Mti expressed regret at the incident and said the department was contacting the families of the dead and injured.
”It is most regrettable when people’s lives are put at risk through such acts. I have reported to the minister on the matter and he has given instructions that steps be taken to minimise the risk of such incidents occurring in the future,” Mti said on Monday. — Sapa