Drunk prison warder still on the job
2012-02-08 16:36
Cape Town - An Odendaalsrus prison warder who was filmed while drunk on duty is still at work, but is on a final warning, according to a correctional services official.
A 4-minute cellphone video taken in March last year shows how the warder, known only as "Pitso" is too drunk to stand up and shuffles around on his bum while on duty at the Free State prison.
According to the Delekile Klaas, the regional commissioner at the department of correctional services in the Free State and Northern Cape, the matter was investigated internally and the warder was given a final warning.
"It is really unfortunate and extremely embarrassing for anyone working for the department to see someone in uniform like this," he said.
The warder is still at work and there have been no queries as to his work since then, said Klaas. The matter was seen as closed.
He said it was unfortunate that the person who took the footage video would take it to media.
"It's a question of people just wanting to embarrass the department. We take these matters very seriously."
Reports of the video, which was taken in broad daylight at the entrance of the prison, surfaced on Wednesday.
It shows various colleagues laughing and making comments while Pitso shuffles out of the prison.
"It's very hard work to drink like that, are you going to drink like that tomorrow? Don't drink again, you hear" one of the colleagues remarks.
When reaching stairs, the warder tries to use them to stand up straight, but falls on his back when losing his grip.
Pitso later says, "If only I could stand up." After which a woman answers: "What are you going to do then, who are you going to chase then, me?"
He answers by saying "a, voetsek wena! then apologising to the woman saying "You are a woman, please forgive me."
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