Angry minister slams warders
2004-11-11 13:52
Pretoria - Correctional Services Minister Ngconde Balfour has promised an independent inquiry into an escape attempt from C-Max prison on Sunday during which two officials were killed.
Speaking at a memorial service on Thursday for the two men, Balfour proposed periodic security checks of guards and electronic monitoring equipment.
Balfour said he was angry about the incident, and promised to get to the bottom of it.
All those involved would be brought to book, he told mourners.
He raged against corrupt prison staff, saying low morale and disillusionment could never be justification for taking people's lives.
C-Max prison head Sam Gomba and acting area co-ordinator, Dan Nditisa, were killed in Sunday's escape attempt.
The inmates, realising their bid for freedom was doomed, took their own lives.
The department has not yet revealed how the prisoners obtained the firearm used in the shooting.
Hundreds of people, including the widows and children of the two dead officials, attended Thursday's tearful service at the Pretoria Prison's rugby grounds.
- SAPA