POPCRU says fatal attack at Pollsmoor Prison 'by design'

The Department of Correctional Services has launched an investigation into the fight that broke out at Pollsmoor Correctional Centre.

Two inmates died, while two correctional officials were injured in the violent stabbing incident.

ALSO READ: DCS investigating circumstances around attack at Pollsmoor Prison that left 2 inmates dead

The department said inmates had targeted the prison wardens.

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has weighed in, saying it’s concerned that prisons are overcrowded and overwhelming for correctional officials.    

POPCRU provincial secretary Mluleki Mbhele said prisoners often had nothing to do while locked up and planned these attacks.

"The inmates have got a lot of planning to do when they are inside the prisons because they do nothing there. Now, as they do this planning, it is by design. We cannot blame the members, we cannot blame anybody, but it is by design that these things are happening."

Mbhele added that ensuring prisoners do not have access to dangerous weapons lies with the department.

"The more the department is lacking to look into that particular aspect and to make sure that there is strict regulation of what comes in and out of the prison, we are always going to have this particular incident."

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