Westville Prison manager locks self in arsenal in hostage drama

16 February 2016 - 13:01 By Kaveel Singh
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Correctional Services has confirmed a hostage situation currently in progress at Westville Prison in Durban.

Westville prison in Durban
Westville prison in Durban
Image: Gallo Images/The Times/Tebogo Letsie
Westville prison in Durban
Westville prison in Durban
Image: Gallo Images/The Times/Tebogo Letsie
Westville prison in Durban
Westville prison in Durban
Image: Gallo Images/The Times/Tebogo Letsie

Department spokesperson Thulani Mduli on Tuesday said a prison official had locked himself in the armoury.

"A male official, [a] manager [has] currently locked himself up in [the] arsenal. We don’t have reasons for his actions thus far, since he is neither opening the door nor answering his phone as we speak.

"We have called up SAPS for help in this situation."

News24 previously reported that a female officer had sealed herself inside the armoury.

Sources within the police and the Department of Correctional Services previously told News24 the allegedly suicidal warder was located in the Medium A Section.

"The police are all over the show here and [the official] is inside the arsenal. We keep all the handguns and assault rifles inside there," a DCS warder had told News24.

It is understood that members of the police's elite Special Task Force are standing by at the prison.

This is a developing story.

Source: News24

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now