Groenewald seeks to establish inquiry into alleged corruption at WC prisons

Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald has told Parliament he will seek to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate alleged corruption at Western Cape prisons.

Groenewald made the announcement on Tuesday while briefing the portfolio committee on Correctional Services after an inmate was allegedly murdered by prison guards at Goodwood Correctional Centre.

The minister joined Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale to answer questions about the incident and the alleged escape of a prisoner from the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre.

Groenewald said disciplinary hearings are set to commence after a final report related to the incidents were completed recently.

"We were questioned about the preliminary report, but we have since received the final report."

Thobakgale told the committee that gangsterism presents prison officials with numerous problems.

"The gang activity in the Western Cape requires special attention, given the incidents that we are seeing in our correctional facilities."

Thobakgale said intervention is underway to stabilise both facilities.