R500m prison for Port Shepstone
2011-06-30 21:03
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Port Shepstone - Planning for a R500m prison for KwaZulu-Natal’s Port Shepstone has started, the Hibiscus Coast municipal manager said on Thursday.
"We are very excited about the project because we believe that it will bring major economic spinoffs for our area," Sbu Mkhize told Sapa after a council meeting in Port Shepstone.
Building a prison had been on the government's drawing board since 2002.
"Former president Thabo Mbeki announced that Port Shepstone, together with other five areas would have prisons. The process in other areas is in a very advanced stage, but here it lagged behind."
The land the municipality bought for the construction of the prison had been found to be unsuitable.
"There is now no commitment from the department and we will soon have a meeting where this matter is going to be discussed."
According to a report presented during the council meeting, the correctional services department recently reaffirmed its commitment to building a prison.
The correctional services and public works departments and the municipality would discuss the matter, Mkhize said.
Port Shepstone's existing prison was too small and old.
“We believe that the community will not oppose the construction of the prison, because it will be more secure than the one that we have. It will also create jobs and hundreds of prison officials will settle here.”
The Democratic Alliance's South Coast constituency chairperson Dough Rawlins said his party was excited about the project.
“We all agree that the prison is good for our area.”
- SAPA
