Pretoria – Investigations into the circumstances which led to the attack of nine prison warders by inmates at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre in the Western Cape are underway.
Nine prison warders were stabbed by inmates in the B section of the prison this morning.
According to the Western Cape Correctional Services Regional Commissioner Delekile Klaas, the inmates overpowered the prison warders before attacking them.
“We are still trying to establish the motive for the attack,” said Klaas.
According to preliminary investigation, the inmates attacked the prison warders unprovoked.
Of the nine prison warders, five are critical while four sustained minor injuries. The injured were taken to Medi Clinic.
“We suspect it is a gang-related incident but the investigation by Correctional Services and the police will be able to shed some light on the incident.
“We also suspect that the incident was well orchestrated,” said Klaas.
In total, 27 inmates have been implicated in the incident. None of the offenders sustained injuries.
It is also suspected that the inmates used self-made knives to attack the warders.
Klaas told SAnews that the situation at the centre has been stabilised. – SAnews.gov.za
