/ 13 December 2004

Boksburg prison break averted

An attempted escape at Boksburg prison, which resulted in warders being taken hostage, has been brought under control, a warder said on Monday.

By 3pm, the held warders had been freed and the group of prisoners had been reincarcerated, said a warder at the prison, who did not want to be named.

Apparently between five and seven prisoners were involved.

”Everything is back to normal,” the warder said.

He said the provincial commissioner is at the prison to investigate the incident.

Prison spokesperson Joseph Khuzwayo was not immediately available for comment.

Meanwhile, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union commented that reduction of personnel in prisons is likely to lead to reduced security and incidents such as the one at Boksburg.

”How many more of these incidents must take place before they pay attention to the plight of warders?” asked spokesperson Pat Ntsobi in a statement. — Sapa