Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe has expressed shock and dismay following the death of a female official at Leeuwkop Correctional Centre.
This after the body of a 50-year-old female officer was found lying in a pool of blood in the prison’s Covid-19 isolation ward on August 10. An inmate at the prison has since been arrested.
“A few weeks ago, I received information from some officials working in the facility, complaining about the high number of daily reported Covid-19 cases in the facility. As local leader, I tried to raise the issue with prison authorities, but they said everything was under control,” claimed Deppe.
“This murder incident is a testimony that there is a lot going on in this facility. The Department of Correctional Services needs to take harsh action against those who authorised that a woman works alone in an isolation ward.
“It’s unfortunate that the incident happened one day after we commemorated Women’s Day. To me, this incident is a total violation of women’s rights.”
Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele confirmed the arrest of the suspect. “A 30-year-old man was arrested at Leeuwkop Correctional Centre on August 13, 2021 after the investigation by the police. The suspect was sentenced for murder in KwaZulu-Natal in 2014. He will appear in Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on 18 August 2021.”
During his visit to the correctional centre on August 13, the deputy Minister in the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, Phathekile Holomisa welcomed the arrest of the inmate.
“It is very sad that a female officer was killed in a brutal manner, moreover during the month of August which is national Women’s Month where efforts to protect women are heightened.
Holomisa added, “This tragic incident sent shockwaves through the department. The investigators have done a good job and it was encouraging that a suspect has been arrested.”
The department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, could not comment on the allegations of a female officer working alone in the isolation ward. He said the department could not divulge any information as they were still conducting an investigation.
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