Allegations of ‘beds for cash and sex’ at Kgosi Mampuru remand cells, IOL reports

Prison conditions at the Kgosi Mampuru remand facility in Tshwane have been thrown into fresh controversy after allegations that inmates were charged for beds and sexually coerced, according to IOL.

What the allegations say

According to IOL, prisoners at Kgosi Mampuru were being made to pay fellow inmates for a place to sleep. The report says those who could not pay the R240 charge were allegedly left on the concrete floor of a cramped, stuffy cell that “reeks of urine” and holds more than 30 men.

IOL reports the money was funnelled into the bank account of a man who, the publication says, “calls the shots from outside the prison walls.” Two men who spent time in the cells this year told IOL that one of them was given a cellphone and bank details within hours of arrival and told to arrange payment for his bed.

Claims about control inside cells

The IOL report says cells C1 and C2 were run by an inmate who had appointed himself in charge. The bunk reportedly cost R240 and came with a mattress.

According to IOL, one former inmate told the publication that men in C2 had sex openly and in numbers, and that pressure was placed on newly arrived prisoners. IOL quotes an interviewee saying the man who called himself the “head honcho” of the cell singled him out after he refused to be penetrated.

Department response and investigation

Correctional Services acknowledged the seriousness of the claims and said they warranted investigation. The department’s spokesman, Singabakho Nxumalo, told IOL:

“The allegations raised are serious and warrant that an investigation be conducted in order to establish if such is indeed a case. Our standard operating procedures do not allow such a practice to happen in our facilities. There are methods being followed when inmates are being admitted. They ought to be offered a bed, toiletries and all other essentials. These are provided at no cost to the inmate.”

NXumalo said the department found the allegations disturbing and that “an investigation will be conducted and a detailed response forwarded to your publication.” The department did not address the claims about sexual coercion in its response, IOL reports.

Wider context from the report

The IOL article also notes that Kgosi Mampuru II comprises six centres, including a remand facility holding people who have not been convicted. The report quotes national figures on overcrowding and previous departmental action on contraband, including a 312-case total for disciplinary matters against officials over contraband smuggling, and mentions efforts to roll out detection equipment.

Allegations attributed to IOL

• According to IOL, prisoners at Kgosi Mampuru were being made to pay fellow inmates for a place to sleep.
• According to IOL, those who could not come up with the R240 were allegedly left on the concrete floor of a cramped, stuffy cell that reeks of urine and holds more than 30 men.
• According to IOL, the money was funnelled into the bank account of a man who calls the shots from outside the prison walls.
• According to IOL, two men who spent time in the cells this year said one was handed a cellphone and bank details within hours of arriving and told to arrange payment for his bed.
• According to IOL, the price was R240 for a bunk bed, which came with a mattress.
• According to IOL, cells C1 and C2 were run by an inmate who had appointed himself in charge, and the bunk came with a filthy price, with sex too often demanded in return for a place to sleep.
• According to IOL, a former inmate said the men in C2 had sex openly and in numbers, and that pressure was placed on those who had just arrived.
• According to IOL, one interviewee said the man who called himself the ‘head honcho’ of the cell singled him out after he refused to be penetrated.
• According to IOL, the department did not address the claims about sexual coercion in its response.

The Department of Correctional Services has said it will investigate the allegations. IOL sought comment from the prisoners association, the report says.