EASTERN Cape prison wardens have accused their bosses of turning a blind eye to corruption.
This is after a warden at St Alban’s Prison in Nelson Mandela Bay was caught attempting to smuggle alcohol to inmates on 31 July. Although the warden is facing an internal investigation, no charges were brought against the inmate who was supposed to receive the booze.
According to one official, senior officials are turning a blind eye to inmates who work with warders to commit corrupt acts.
He said: “The department should be applauded for taking measures to root out corruption, but why do inmates involved in these corrupt activities not face punishment? The failure to punish inmates who commit corrupt acts puts at risk those warders who abide by the law and follow rules and regulations. A colleague was approached by an inmate and offered R100 for smuggling alcohol on 30 July, but he declined and reported the incident. In his statement, he explained that he had been approached for corrupt activities, but he declined to participate. The same inmate approached another warden the following day and she agreed to traffic the alcohol, which resulted in her arrest. We are surprised that the inmate involved is not charged or moved to maximum detention or moved to another prison just like they did to the warden.”
The official said they want the department to act against that inmate because he is a security threat.
“We can’t have offenders who are above the law and who do as they please because they are the bosses’ favourites.”
Correctional services spokeswoman Nobuntu Gantana confirmed the official was caught with a substance that was suspected to be alcohol on 31 July and a departmental internal investigation is underway.
“A departmental internal investigation is underway and if the offender is found guilty then disciplinary action will be taken against him. The department has anti-corruption strategies in place as well as internal security measures to prevent the occurrence of any corrupt activities within our centres,” she said.
