The Department of Correctional Services has said it is ‘utterly saddened and broken’ after a female official was found dead on August 10 at Leeuwkop Correctional Centre.
“The department is in the process of establishing facts and circumstances that led to her death,” read the statement issued by the department.
“The 50-year-old official had 23 years of service and was based at the Medium A: Covid-19 Isolation Site where her body was discovered on the floor with her jacket covered with blood.
“An investigation has been launched and it will be prioritised to move with speed so as to ascertain the cause of death and bring perpetrators of this criminal act to book.”
The department expressed sincere condolences to the official’s family. “This is a painfully disturbing incident,” read the statement.
The department added a case had been opened with the police and that it would be ‘going all-out’ to ensure the incident would be probed to the fullest. “We will not allow incidents that undermine security in our centres to prevail and harsh action will be taken against anyone involved in such.”
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said it learned ‘with shock’ about the reported incident.
In a statement, issued by spokesperson Richard Mamabolo, Popcru pointed out some questions which it believed needed to be answered, adding, “This unfortunate loss of life under mysterious circumstances cannot go by without being fully interrogated…”
Popcru further called on the Department of Correctional Services’ management at the correctional centre to ensure that those responsible take full responsibility and are held accountable. The union further called for the ‘immediate suspension’ of some of the top officials at the centre.
Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe also raised concern at the incident. “I am absolutely disgusted at the fact that I’ve heard today – in Women’s Month – that one of the female officials has passed away. I think it’s an indictment to women,” said Deppe.
This is a developing story and updates to follow as more information is received.
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