The principal of the troubled Bhisho Youth Care Centre Sindiswa Matyhila-Mankazana yesterday made a desperate plea to authorities to do something about conditions at the centre, “before someone loses a life”.
Matyhila-Mankazana said workers at the centre, including educators, security guards, cooks and cleaners, feared for their lives every time they were on duty.
Her comments came after a group of juvenile inmates went on the rampage this week, looting the institution and threatening to kill staff members.
Yesterday morning the principal’s office, HOD’s office, an admin office, canteen and staff room were all broken into and money, laptops, stationery and food stolen.
Seven “dangerous inmates” also escaped from the facility in the early hours of yesterday, the principal revealed.
Classes have since been suspended and 14 inmates, who were supposed to write external exams yesterday and today, did not do so.
“Things are really getting out of hand. We are now crying out loud for help. One of us will lose a life if nothing drastic is done to improve security here.
“They are armed with very sharp objects and hold all of us at ransom every time they feel like doing so,” Matyhila-Mankazana said.
She said staff morale was “at an all-time low” and that educating and rehabilitating these offenders was almost impossible.
The institution houses 46 juvenile offenders between the ages of 14 and 21, who were sentenced for, among others, murder, rape, assault and theft.
Laptops, calculators, stationery and food had been stolen from her office and furniture and files were scattered all over the ground, when a Daily Dispatch team visited yesterday.
In the admin office, doors were smashed, a huge safe broken into and money stolen.
Last Friday the staff room was broken into in broad daylight and teachers’ purses and cellphones stolen. Yesterday the inmates broke through the ceiling to access the staff room and stole other valuables.
“They have stolen everything from the kitchen and are now cooking for themselves inside their hostels,” the principal said.
She said since June, more than five break-ins had been reported to police, including a case of intimidation, where she was threatened with a sharp object and also the victim of verbal abuse and threatening letters.
Troubles at the facility are well documented. In 2013 the facility was closed after inmates attacked staff.
Call for help as youth run rampant at care centre
Matyhila-Mankazana said workers at the centre, including educators, security guards, cooks and cleaners, feared for their lives every time they were on duty.
Her comments came after a group of juvenile inmates went on the rampage this week, looting the institution and threatening to kill staff members.
Yesterday morning the principal’s office, HOD’s office, an admin office, canteen and staff room were all broken into and money, laptops, stationery and food stolen.
Seven “dangerous inmates” also escaped from the facility in the early hours of yesterday, the principal revealed.
Classes have since been suspended and 14 inmates, who were supposed to write external exams yesterday and today, did not do so.
“Things are really getting out of hand. We are now crying out loud for help. One of us will lose a life if nothing drastic is done to improve security here.
“They are armed with very sharp objects and hold all of us at ransom every time they feel like doing so,” Matyhila-Mankazana said.
She said staff morale was “at an all-time low” and that educating and rehabilitating these offenders was almost impossible.
The institution houses 46 juvenile offenders between the ages of 14 and 21, who were sentenced for, among others, murder, rape, assault and theft.
Laptops, calculators, stationery and food had been stolen from her office and furniture and files were scattered all over the ground, when a Daily Dispatch team visited yesterday.
In the admin office, doors were smashed, a huge safe broken into and money stolen.
Last Friday the staff room was broken into in broad daylight and teachers’ purses and cellphones stolen. Yesterday the inmates broke through the ceiling to access the staff room and stole other valuables.
“They have stolen everything from the kitchen and are now cooking for themselves inside their hostels,” the principal said.
She said since June, more than five break-ins had been reported to police, including a case of intimidation, where she was threatened with a sharp object and also the victim of verbal abuse and threatening letters.
Troubles at the facility are well documented. In 2013 the facility was closed after inmates attacked staff.
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