JUST IN: Inmate killed, guard stabbed during EC prison fight

A prisoner was killed and a guard was left with stab wounds after a scuffle broke out during breakfast between the inmate and guards at St Albans Prison on Sunday morning.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo told DispatchLIVE that the inmate had initiated an attack by stabbing a guard when Emergency Services Team intervened.

Nxumalo said: “The inmate who initiated the attack has unfortunately passed on following a scuffle with the officials. We are unable to confirm the name of the deceased until the family is informed.”

Nxumalo said the guard was taken to hospital for medical care. He added that the crime scene has been cordoned off in order to give space to the SAPS to gather evidence and conduct its own investigation.

The incident comes as the prison has been in a state of upheaval for weeks due to a hunger strike by prisoners housed at the B maximum section. The stand off allegedly stems from unresolved disputes dating back to 2016 when three inmates were killed and 26 people including guards were injured during riots at C maximum section of the same prison.

The spokesman said: “This is an unfortunate incident for DCS as, over a few months back, had to deploy the National Task Team to St Albans in order to stabilize operations at this centre.”

Nxumalo added that trauma counseling has been offered to those affected by the incident and that the correctional services department will be monitoring the centre and strive to regain stability.

“The senior management of the department is on its way to St Albans where it will be briefed fully on the incident. A full investigation will be conducted as per the Correctional Sercives Act directives, and it will bring to the fore the minute details and circumstances behind this tragic incident.”