Standerton inmates claim water is ‘dirty, discoloured, unfit for human consumption’
Inmates claim their families are forced to buy bottled water and that ongoing shortages disrupt meal preparation, but Mpumalanga correctional services has denied the allegations.
The Department of Correctional Services has rejected inmate claims of severe water shortages and contaminated drinking supplies at Standerton Correctional Centre in Mpumalanga, reports Ridge Times.
The response follows last week’s claims by several inmates, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleging that the water situation has deteriorated to the point where two inmates are forced to share just 10 litres of water for periods of up to two or three days.
They further claimed that the water supplied is at times dirty, discoloured and unfit for human consumption.
According to the inmates, the shortages have also placed a financial burden on visitors, with families allegedly spending about R200 on bottled water to ensure their incarcerated relatives have access to safe drinking water.
The inmates further alleged that the lack of water has disrupted meal preparation, resulting in prisoners sometimes going hungry or receiving insufficient food.
Department confirms regional water challenges
Responding to the allegations, the Department of Correctional Services confirmed that it is aware of the broader water shortage affecting Standerton, which has also impacted Standerton Correctional Centre.
Bethal Management Area Communications Manager Siphiwe Mahlangu said the department has implemented measures to ensure that inmates continue to receive an adequate supply of clean water.
“To mitigate the water shortage challenge experienced, Standerton Correctional Centre has a water truck that supplies an 18 000l water tanker to the centre daily.
“Lekwa Municipality also provides one water truck per day to deliver water to the correctional centre,” said Mahlangu.
He added that offenders are receiving sufficient clean water every day.
Daily allocations maintain clean water supply
“At least 20 25l containers are allocated to inmates in each cell per day. The inmates have been made aware of the water shortage in the area, as well as the interim measures in place to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of clean water at the facility,” said Mahlangu.
Mahlangu also dismissed claims that food preparation has been affected by the water shortages, stating that offenders receive meals as prescribed by departmental policies.
“The inmates are supplied with sufficient water daily; therefore, the allegations are incorrect. The department has a good working relationship with the municipality and constantly engages with it to ensure that the centre receives sufficient water daily while the municipality is renovating the water treatment plant,” Mahlangu added.
He also said that Standerton Correctional Centre has its own water truck, which collects water directly from the municipality’s water treatment plant to supplement the supply.
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