After viral photos of women hugging prisoners surfaced online, some officers are currently facing possible suspension.
According to reports, the Correctional Services Department started the investigation of the managers and lower ranking officials in South Africa.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson, Logan Maistry told Times Live that he was at the prison to ascertain the facts.
Adding that, “The intention was never to have strippers in the facility‚” Acting National Correctional Services Commissioner James Smalberger told a news briefing.
“That is unacceptable and we cannot tolerate that at all. When the dancers arrived‚ we saw that they were wearing lingerie.
“I want to give assurance that‚ based on our briefing and our visit to the place where this happened‚ is that there is no taxpayer money involved in this ‘entertainment’‚” he said.
The department took the matter seriously after the images surfaced at the weekend and immediately opened an investigation into the circumstances.
“Thirteen of our officials will be contemplated for suspension if they were found to have flouted departmental rules‚” he said. “We will hear on Friday what the status of the investigation is.” Gauteng correctional services spokesman Ofentse Morwane earlier told TimesLIVE that:
“At Johannesburg Prison there was an internal event organised for inmates to celebrate Youth Month‚” said Morwane. “When the dancers arrived‚ we saw that they were wearing lingerie. They had some sort of strip show for the offenders.”
