Correctional Services said that “matters are under control” at Johannesburg’s Sun City Prison on Wednesday morning after inmates started fires in a protest about their TVs being taken away.
Alarms reportedly went off at 6am when prisoners set fires in dustbins.
Correctional Services spokesperson Manelisi Wolela confirmed that “a group of offenders started fires after unlocking this morning”.
This occurred in the “courtyard of the Medium B Correctional Centre”.
“Officials reinforced and extinguished the fire‚ no injuries were sustained - although some are being inspected for possible smoke inhalation - no deaths‚ and no offender cell was damaged‚” Wolela said.
“Local management went to the scene‚ ensured the recounting of offenders‚ and will engage them to determine motives for this unacceptable incident.”
Early reports said the motives were the inmates’ unhappiness that their TV sets were being taken away‚ as well as accusations that the prison head was perpetuating violence.
“We reassure people that matters are under control at the Johannesburg Management Area‚” Wolela said.
– TMG Digital
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