The Correctional Services Department has revealed on Thursday that two journalists were arrested at Westville Prison at the weekend for allegedly interviewing a prison inmate under false pretenses.
According to news reports, the journalists pretended to be relatives of the prisoner and were caught conducting interviews with the inmate.
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said the pair were were charged under Section 122 of the Correctional Services Act prohibiting unauthorised publication, false representations and profiteering from the publication of crimes for which offenders are serving sentences.
“They did not disclose to correctional service officials that they were journalists and had entered the correctional service under false pretenses to seek an interview with a convicted person,” he said.
The two appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were released on bail.
