Noupoort inmates lay charges

2003-10-31 13:06

Kimberley - Police were investigating a series of claims and counter-claims on Friday involving the Noupoort Christian Care Centre (NCCC) in the Eastern Cape.

Police spokesperson Rita Crafford said NCCC employees had been arrested at the centre on Wednesday and had appeared in court on Thursday.

Michael Saltvedel, 27, Brandley Goring, 29 and Ian Humphris, 27, were released on bail of R200 each and would next appear in court on November 19 in connection with charges of assault.

They were arrested after an 18-year-old inmate laid a charge of assault with Noupoort police after "escaping" from the centre.

The youth, identified by Beeld newspaper as Thomas Wernars, was allegedly locked up in a cage at the centre from October 21 to his escape on October 23 when he knocked out the door frame of his cage.

He alleged he was repeatedly assaulted by staff while handcuffed.

The centre, in turn, laid charges against Wernars of malicious damage to property and assault. The NCCC alleges he assaulted a staff member.

Had to run obstacle courses

Crafford also reported that two more inmates left the centre on Tuesday and that one of them had laid charges against staff of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Beeld identified the two as Handré Coleman, 19 and Sergio de Freitas, 20.

Coleman said he was forced to perform hard labour with a pick and shovel while he had addiction-withdrawal symptoms.

In addition, he was forced to run a military-style obstacle course twice a day. He said those who fell off obstacles landed in barbed wire.

Inmates were forced to perform exercises. If anyone didn't complete a set, staff would force the rest to do more exercises.

They would then also encourage the other inmates to beat up the "weakling."

Crafford said police were investigating the claims.

The NCCC would not immediately respond to the allegations, but undertook to do so later on Friday.

The NCCC has in recent years often received bad publicity related to allegations of staff excess against inmates.

- SAPA