The Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru) in the Eastern Cape has blamed the Department of Correctional Services for failing to provide uniforms to prison warders.
Many officials are forced to wear old, torn uniforms to work.
Many say at times they had no choice but to ask inmates to stitch up their torn uniforms for them. They asked for their identities to be protected as they are not allowed to speak to the media.
Popcru provincial chairman Loyiso Mdingi said for years this had been a problem.
“Members have been complaining about the shortage of uniforms. At times they give them to inmates to sew, as they’ve got the skills,” Mdingi said.
“We have been engaging the department but there’s just no positive response.”
One official at one of the prisons showed the Daily Dispatch his torn pants.
“These torn trousers are my only and last work trousers I have. Currently I am at work and I had to ask these inmates to quickly help fix them,” the official said.
Another official said he had last received a uniform in 2006.
“We cannot get any uniform here and now we have to wear shoes that are not safe,” he said.
“Some of us don’t come to work if our uniform is wet, and this is a situation that needs serious attention from the management.”
Earlier this month, warders at Johannesburg prison protested, demanding new uniforms.
“This is a national problem,” the official said.
“It was better when this uniform was being made by inmates because the person who has this tender is not delivering.”
But Eastern Cape regional commissioner Nkosinathi Breakfast said all correctional centres in the province were given an opportunity to order uniforms last year.
“The process went well and most officials did receive new stock. Nevertheless, there were places where we experienced shortages and those with little or nothing had to be prioritised,” he said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
‘Inmates stitch our uniforms’
Many officials are forced to wear old, torn uniforms to work.
Many say at times they had no choice but to ask inmates to stitch up their torn uniforms for them. They asked for their identities to be protected as they are not allowed to speak to the media.
Popcru provincial chairman Loyiso Mdingi said for years this had been a problem.
“Members have been complaining about the shortage of uniforms. At times they give them to inmates to sew, as they’ve got the skills,” Mdingi said.
“We have been engaging the department but there’s just no positive response.”
One official at one of the prisons showed the Daily Dispatch his torn pants.
“These torn trousers are my only and last work trousers I have. Currently I am at work and I had to ask these inmates to quickly help fix them,” the official said.
Another official said he had last received a uniform in 2006.
“We cannot get any uniform here and now we have to wear shoes that are not safe,” he said.
“Some of us don’t come to work if our uniform is wet, and this is a situation that needs serious attention from the management.”
Earlier this month, warders at Johannesburg prison protested, demanding new uniforms.
“This is a national problem,” the official said.
“It was better when this uniform was being made by inmates because the person who has this tender is not delivering.”
But Eastern Cape regional commissioner Nkosinathi Breakfast said all correctional centres in the province were given an opportunity to order uniforms last year.
“The process went well and most officials did receive new stock. Nevertheless, there were places where we experienced shortages and those with little or nothing had to be prioritised,” he said. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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