There are
reports of disturbances in jails in Swaziland and inmates are accused of
brutality against warders.
It is
claimed that new inmates have formed gangs and warders from jails across the kingdom
have been moved to two institutions at Sidwashini and Bhalekane to increase security.
One
inmate at Bhalekane has asked a court to move him for his own safety.
There
have been at least two incidents where inmates rioted because they were served
with poor food. This was at Sidwashini and Bhalekane. At
Sidwashini, media in Swaziland report, untrained warders were sent in to
help restore peace. At Bhalekane one warder had to be taken to hospital after
an alleged attack.
His
Majesty’s Correctional Services (HMCS), Commissioner General Isaiah Mzuthini
Ntshangase told the Sunday Observer (7 January 2018) the
officer was trying to serve breakfast to the inmates when they kicked the tray
down and assaulted him on the head with an enamel dish.
The newspaper
reported Ntshangase saying, ‘The officer was severely injured and had to be
taken to hospital. All this is part of the unlawful activities that the gang
members are currently engaging in. One wonders why this officer was assaulted
because he had not even provoked the inmates; he was innocently serving them
breakfast and they pounced on him.’
He said members
of gangs at Bhalekane vandalised property including beds to make handmade
weapons to attack warders.
The Swazi Observer said on Wednesday (10
January 2018) there were ‘widespread reports of brutality’. It said security had
been ‘beefed up’ in facilities, ‘where such acts of violence are rife’.
The newspaper
said one inmate through his lawyers was asking the courts to transfer him to
another correctional facility. It said, ‘The inmate claims he no longer feels
safe at Bhalekane and the matter is pending in court.’
It said warders
stationed in institutions around the kingdom such as Nhlangano and Big Bend had
now transferred to increase security at Sidwashini and Bhalekane.
Meanwhile,
five inmates who are believed to be part of the controversial gang known as the
26s have been charged with common assault after they allegedly assaulted
another inmate at Zakhele remand centre. They allegedly beat him with fists and
kicked him before stabbing him with a toothbrush.
They appeared
at Manzini Magistrate’s Court where they said they had been denied the
opportunity to get a lawyer. They were remanded back into custody.
See also
JAIL
INMATES ‘BEATEN FREQUENTLY’
SWAZI
JAIL RIOT OVER NO BREAD
PROBE INTO CORRUPTION AT SWAZI JAIL
PROBE
INTO ‘INHUMANE’ JAIL CONDITIONS
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