Prison warders at Johannesburg prison have embarked on a strike.
Warders at the facility‚ known as “Sun City“‚ called for the intervention of Justice and Correctional Services Minister advocate Michael Masutha to hear their grievances on Tuesday.
Male prisoners at the medium B section were not being transported to court as the warders complained that the Department of Correctional Services had failed to properly compensate those members who qualified for benefits such as overtime pay‚ a danger allowance‚ new uniforms and promotions.
“We are working under serious danger conditions here because we are short-staffed. One warder will be looking after 100 inmates instead of five‚” said one of the warders‚ who all asked not to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.
“At medium B‚ prisoners have not gone to court until our needs are taken care of.”
“We are wearing worn-out uniforms because they are not willing to help. We need uniforms because it’s cold now‚” said another warder‚ pointing to his socks and trousers.
The warders‚ who decided to vent their frustration peacefully‚ said they had been fighting over the same issues for the past decade.
They complained that their superiors had failed to attend to their grievances.
“We need to be addressed and respected as employees of the department‚” said a warder who claimed that he had held the same rank for more than 17 years‚ regardless of his experience.
“We decided to ignore unions because they sell us out. I mean‚ they drink and eat from the same table with these people (Correctional Services). All we need is compensation‚ nothing else. We are not allowing anyone to access Medium B at all‚” said another warder.
“Inmates are not going to court today and some of these inmates are sick and need treatment. They are paying the nurses here more than us while we are exposed to more danger‚” said the warder.
Warders said that their overtime pay started at around R150 per month for junior members and increased to R400 for a grade two correctional officer.
The Department of Correctional Services had yet to comment just after noon. — TMG Digital
Warders to besiege Joburg prison until ministers hears their grievances
Prison warders at Johannesburg prison have embarked on a strike.
Warders at the facility‚ known as “Sun City“‚ called for the intervention of Justice and Correctional Services Minister advocate Michael Masutha to hear their grievances on Tuesday.
Male prisoners at the medium B section were not being transported to court as the warders complained that the Department of Correctional Services had failed to properly compensate those members who qualified for benefits such as overtime pay‚ a danger allowance‚ new uniforms and promotions.
“We are working under serious danger conditions here because we are short-staffed. One warder will be looking after 100 inmates instead of five‚” said one of the warders‚ who all asked not to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.
“At medium B‚ prisoners have not gone to court until our needs are taken care of.”
“We are wearing worn-out uniforms because they are not willing to help. We need uniforms because it’s cold now‚” said another warder‚ pointing to his socks and trousers.
The warders‚ who decided to vent their frustration peacefully‚ said they had been fighting over the same issues for the past decade.
They complained that their superiors had failed to attend to their grievances.
“We need to be addressed and respected as employees of the department‚” said a warder who claimed that he had held the same rank for more than 17 years‚ regardless of his experience.
“We decided to ignore unions because they sell us out. I mean‚ they drink and eat from the same table with these people (Correctional Services). All we need is compensation‚ nothing else. We are not allowing anyone to access Medium B at all‚” said another warder.
“Inmates are not going to court today and some of these inmates are sick and need treatment. They are paying the nurses here more than us while we are exposed to more danger‚” said the warder.
Warders said that their overtime pay started at around R150 per month for junior members and increased to R400 for a grade two correctional officer.
The Department of Correctional Services had yet to comment just after noon. — TMG Digital
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