Stampede as cops enter Free State prison

2013-01-08 07:03

(AP)

Bloemfontein - Around 50 inmates of the Groenpunt prison in Deneysville, Free State, suffered minor injuries in a stampede when police entered the facility early on Tuesday morning, police said.

A riot had broken out at around 16:00 on Monday when prisoners refused to eat and started setting fires.

Police spokesperson Constable Peter Kareli told Sapa at daybreak that the situation was peaceful.

"We are now going back to assess the damage and investigate what led to the unrest," he told Sapa.

He added that five prison staff suffered minor injuries.

SABC radio news, which put the staff injury toll at nine, reported that the riot had happened at the maximum security section when some 227 inmates barricaded their unit to prevent officials from entering.

Police reinforcements from Vereeniging, Sasolburg and Welkom were called in and stun grenades were used to enable them to gain entry, according the report.

- SAPA