Cape prison bosses suspended

2009-11-11 19:02

Cape Town - Western Cape Correctional Services security chief Lionel Adams and another senior official have been suspended following the release of a prisoner.

Adams and Julius Mentoor, of the Cape Town community corrections office, were suspended on full pay following the release of the prisoner from the Goodwood correctional centre, department spokesperson Ofentse Morwane said on Wednesday.

The prisoner, HB Liang, a Chinese national, had been jailed for "dealing in undesirable dependence-producing substances", and sentenced to 15 years of which seven were suspended, said Morwane.

He had been in prison for a year and eight months when a warrant of liberation was issued by a magistrate which allowed his release.

Warrant reviewed

"Administrative protocol was followed in releasing the offender and the offender was subsequently released on 16 August 2009," Morwane said.

"However, the warrant of liberation was taken on review and it was set aside by the Western Cape High Court on 23 September 2009. The offender was therefore re-incarcerated on 29 September 2009."

Morwane said Adams and Mentoor had been suspended because of their "alleged involvement in the situation".

The incident had been reported to the police, who were investigating.

The department would consider a disciplinary hearing depending on the outcome of the investigation.

Adams' job title is regional co-ordinator of security for the Western Cape.
 

- SAPA