Barberton Correctional launches its Covid-19 vaccine programme

Some 244 inmates received their Covid-19 vaccines during the launch of the programme for inmates at the Barberton Maximum Correctional. The vaccine roll-out programme was launched on Monday.

The communications manager for Barberton Correctional Services, Messiah Hlungwani, said, “The facilities have more than 3 600 inmates. They are accommodated at Maximum, Medium B, Town Youth, Lydenburg and Nelspruit Correctional Centre, which accommodate remand detainees and female offenders.”

During the launch, the area commissioner of Barberton Correctional, Midjohn Mhlongo, told the inmates the vaccine was meant to protect them against the lethal pandemic. “As assurance that we mean well by vaccinating you, I am going to lead by example and be vaccinated in your full view.

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They are going to give you the same vaccine as the one they are administering to me, so that all of us can be safe.”

The area commissioner was followed by the head of the maximum correctional centre, Antony Mashabane, and area coordinator, Abel Mashaba. Pebane Butiki (36) was one of the first inmates that joined the queue for vaccines after seeing the management receiving them.

“I was sceptical about being vaccinated, but seeing management getting their vaccine in full view of everyone gave me the confidence that the vaccine is meant to save us,” he said.

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Sizwe Sibiya (40), serving 15 years’ imprisonment for rape, is one of the offenders who advocated for the vaccine. “I am so excited that the government included inmates on the groups of people who would be receiving the vaccine. I thought one day I would wake up to mass infection, become a victim and succumb to the pandemic, but today I take this vaccine with pride knowing that my life will be safe.”

The vaccination programme is expected to continue throughout the month.