Convicts from Leeuwkop Prison raise concern at golf course
FOURWAYS – Leeuwkop Prison inmate spotted on Leeuwkop Golf Course by ladies playing golf, which raised the question of security, but Leeuwkop Prison responded cordially. Read more here...
Leeuwkop Golf Course links with the Jukskei River and just across the river lies Leeuwkop Prison.
Imagine enjoying your weekend round of golf and the colour orange appears in the distance, causing you to break your concentration, miss-hitting your shot with the ball landing up in the bunker.
This could have happened to a few women golfers this past weekend at the Leeuwkop Golf Course after a prison inmate was spotted on the course. The prisoner apparently crossed over the Jukskei River, while an unidentified male waited for him on the course side of the river. The inmate did not seem as though he had any intention of escaping.
Sanku Tsunke, Leeuwkop Prison communications manager did explain that there are inmates who are close to receiving parole and have received ‘good behaviour’ reports who assist with simple everyday chores. They are called monitors.
Leeuwkop Golf Course’s general manager, Des Boehm said, “Sometimes the cattle wander off and the monitors fetch them, which causes no threat to the golfers.”
“The man in casual attire gave the inmate a parcel, which looked like a plastic bag. The inmate tucked it under his shirt and made his way back towards the prison. This, unfortunately, is not the first time this has happened.
The Leeuwkop inmate headed back toward the prison after he collected a parcel from the man who waited on the golf course.
“An inmate was spotted in June last year and earlier this year, with the same story. The previous offenders crossed over the Jukskei River, onto the golf course and went back towards the prison, with a parcel tucked away. Some of the caddies, who work at the golf club, commented that they see this quite often.”
The person who spotted the inmate wished to remain anonymous, as the witness feared for their safety.
Tsunke explained that the Department of Correctional Services appreciates the actions by members of the public to alert authorities about this unacceptable incident. “The department views this in a serious light and it will continue to assess and re-assess its security measures to ensure security breaches do not re-occur. Moreover, an internal investigation will be launched on the matter,” said Tsunke.
Leeuwkop Prison inmate standing on the Leeuwkop Golf Course unattended and very close to the ladies who were playing golf.
The situation made the golfers feel offended and unsafe. Their main concern was the fact that there are high-security entrances and exits, but inmates still gain access to the outside.
Another concern was that taxpayers’ money is not being allocated where it is most needed. Witnesses felt that the inmates needed to be supervised and that large amounts of money – that should be going to security – are not being used where needed.
Tsunke also explained that it is important to note that some prisoners are performing stock-watch duties, which means they are simply herding cows belonging to the facility. “The offender is allowed to walk about within the area herding the stock. Therefore, it is not unusual to see those who are guarding the cows walking unattended within the environment,” he said.
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