WATCH: Videos show shots fired, violence in Gauteng prison clash
The department said no firearms were used inside Baviaanspoort prison, but one of the videos shows prison officials chasing down inmates and shooting at them.
Screengrab of a Twitter video showing shots being fired during a riot at Baviaanspoort prison in Johannesburg, 22 April 2020.
While the Department of Correctional Services says there was minimum violence when a riot broke out at Bavianspoort Prison in Gauteng earlier this week, videos have emerged which paint a different picture.
Despite the department’s assurance that no firearms were used inside the centre, one of the videos shows prison officials chasing down inmates and shooting at them.
Bavianspoort prison our brother’s are beaten there for asking about their release after pandemic coronavirus ???????????? pic.twitter.com/gJSVQe0afm
— Phakedi (@Phakedi27052105) April 20, 2020
Two unconscious inmates are then seen being carried away in blankets and blood can be seen on the floor.
As the scene plays out, inmates are heard shouting “they are killing us” repeatedly.
Their crime this time was to tell prison Wardens that they are the ones who are bringing Covid-19 inside prisons
Men down I repeat Men down Bavianspoort Prison pic.twitter.com/coLVvLAVZo
— Lunga (@Lunga75022976) April 20, 2020
In a statement released on Monday, the department said the disruption was instigated by South African Prisoners’ Organisation for Human Rights president Golden Miles Bhundu and other individuals who incited a “revolt against the state” over Covid-19 concerns within prisons.
It added inmates had become disruptive and minimum force was used to restore order.
Lawyers for Human Rights attorney Clare Ballard said she had confirmed the authenticity of the videos through a client who was at the prison.
Ballard said the videos reflected what happened at the prison when inmates and officials clashed.
The department said the protests were unwarranted because it had implemented measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 and assured prisoners were protected.
“There has been screening at our centres, and supplies are being provided continuously, both for inmates and officials.
“Improving personal and environmental hygiene, provision of personal equipment, sanitisation and decontamination interventions are what we have been doing and continue to do,” it said.
(Compiled by Carina Koen.)
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