Kutama Sinthumule Prison to resume full operations
- News
- July 4, 2024
- No Comment
- 20
The Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre in Louis Trichardt, Limpopo will be fully operational by the end of July following the devastating fire in August 2023.
This was revealed by Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale on Thursday. Thobakgale visited the facility on Thursday to assess the progress made during the renovations.
ALSO READ: Shebeshxt discharged from hospital
The fire on the 7th of August 2023 led to the death of one inmate and further necessitated the relocation of inmates to other correctional centres across the country. The fire reportedly started following a riot by inmates. It has affected all three centres at the prison.
Speaking to the Media at the centre on Thursday, Thobakgale says work on the yellow and blue sections has since been completed. A total of 1,872 offenders have been transferred back to both sections. Repairs on the green section, which accommodates 1,152 inmates, are expected to be completed within July. He also added that a report on an investigation into the cause of the fire will be released at the end of July.
UPDATE AS THE KUTAMA KUTAMA SINTHUMULE CORRECTIONAL CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL AGAIN
“The time that we spent repairing the facility gave the contractor an opportunity for retraining and further improving on the skills of the Correctional officials,” he said.
“Now when we look at the safety features, the repair process has given us the opportunity to renew the systems. You would remember the facility was almost burnt down to zero functionality. So it means now we have to install new components in the electronic systems. So I can stand here and say we are now looking at an improved Correctional facility. In terms of the security systems. “
HOW MUCH IT COST THE GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR THE FACILITY?
“The repair work is done by the contractors. It has not been funded from the budget of the government. Of Course, the contractors had to ensure the facility as part of the contractual arrangements.”
