Guards ‘steal’ from prisoner

An inmate at Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) is breathing fire after his personal belongings were allegedly stolen by two prison warders almost two years ago while he was not in his prison cell.

Sibusiso Sanky Mngomezulu who recently wrote to The Weekly detailing his torment following the theft of his Sony portable radio, an Ecco Kettle and 11 CDs which contained gospel and other music in December 2013, stated in his letter that he felt let down by prison authorities who to his knowledge, have not taken any action on the matter.

But prison authorities last night distanced themselves from the matter saying no formal complaint had been lodged and therefore no investigation had been conducted.
According to South African law, inmates may have such items depending on their privilege level as well as the condition of these effects. If an inmate is not allowed to have certain personal effects while serving their time, they will be stored in their asset box at the admissions department at the correctional centre.

In the letter dated June 1, 2015 Mngomezulu said as a prisoner, he felt powerless as the authorities – who are the only ones that he could turn to – have not been of much assistance as his case seems to be dragging endlessly.

The frustrated inmate says he has complained to Correctional Services authorities since December 2013 but has not received any substantive feedback on the course of action that they had taken to address the matter.

He is serving an effective sentence of 35 years imprisonment for murder, aggravated robbery and illegal possession of fire arms and ammunition possession. He was sentenced on December 2, 2005.

Mngomezulu said he was now contemplating taking far-reaching action on the matter because he has failed to get the support he expected but he is worried that he may do something that he may regret later.

He also opened a case of theft with Bloemspruit Police last month but is yet to get an update on the case. Police yesterday confirmed investigating the case.
Police spokesperson Constable Sinah Mpakane said: “The matter was reported last month and police are busy with investigations. The complainant must just be a bit patient because some cases take a bit long to investigate. He will be getting some update on the matter soon.”

In his letter to this newspaper Mngomezulu said he feared prison authorities might have disregarded his matter and allowed it to die a natural death.

“My items were stolen by two G4S prison officials…” wrote Mngomezulu giving the names of the concerned officers. We are withholding the names of the prison warders as they have not been formerly charged.

He said he had lodged a complaint concerning the theft with one of the line managers and even elevated the matter to the prison controllers but to no avail.

“I have no money to buy (those items again) and I want (those prison warders) to buy or return my items. I am struggling to get items and I do not want to do something to do something that will make me regret. I am rehabilitated,” he said in the letter addressed to Correctional Services and copied to The Weekly.

Even though Mngomezulu suggests throughout his letter that that he is reformed and small as the items might seem to some, he closes on a rather chilling note, raising fears that he may just do what he says he may regret if he does not get assistance.

“Must I do something that will increase my sentence before I get my items (back)? Must I think about killing the people who stole my items when I come out of prison to satisfy my heart? Is that a rehabilitated inmate’s thinking? I ask myself these questions daily,” he ended.

Department of correctional services deputy regional commissioner for the Free State and Northern Cape Region Grace Molatedi said in a written response that authorities at the correctional centre only became aware of the matter following the enquiry by The Weekly.

“The inmate never lodged a formal complaint via the prescribed complaint and request system regarding the alleged theft thus no investigations were conducted regarding this matter,” said Molatedi.

But Molatedi said authorities at the correctional centre would now investigate the alleged theft.