Jail graft: Setlai case put off
2003-03-27 15:17
Bloemfontein - Grootvlei Prison's former head, Tatolo Setlai, appeared in Bloemfontein magistrate's court on Thursday in connection with a corruption charge, say Free State police.
Inspector Loraine Kalp said the 49-year-old's R4 000 bail was extended and the case was postponed to May 6.
The directorate of public prosecutions would also decide whether further charges should be added, she said.
Setlai was arrested on January 15 in his office at the prison outside Bloemfontein and was suspended from his post on January 17.
The State alleges Setlai allegedly received bribes from prisoners in exchange for preferential treatment.
Setlai, who headed the prison for five years, played a prominent role in revealing corruption before the Jali Commission, which is investigating the issue at correctional services facilities countrywide.
Setlai granted four prisoners permission to make a secret video implicating several corrupt warders, who have since been fired and criminally prosecuted.
The video was later broadcast by the SABC and Setlai was criticised by his superiors, including national commissioner of correctional services Linda Mti, for his role.
- SAPA