A prison inmate allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old boy in the dining hall on 2 February.
The boy, whose mother is an official at the Potchefstroom Correctional Services, and his friends had gone to the mess (dining hall) to buy food. The altercation took place after they had finished eating.
According to Col Adéle Myburgh, the NW police spokesperson, a charge of common assault, crimen injuria and intimidation was opened on 16 February 2019. “The investigation continues,” she said.
The correctional services spokesperson, Busi Shibambo, confirmed that there is a case at the Potchefstroom police station. She said the head of the centre (Department of Correctional Services) had instituted an internal investigation into the reported incident and assigned an officer to the case.
The offender is not guilty
“The investigation established that the offender was not guilty of the alleged assault. The Department of Correctional Services’ official who monitors the offenders on duty at the mess hall was present as per the regulations of the department and witnessed the said incident.
“The head of the centre engaged with the mother on the subsequent outcome of the internal investigation and she insisted on opening a criminal case. The department will, therefore, allow the due legal process to follow and will fully cooperate with the SAPS investigation into the matter,” she said.
Shibambo did not comment on whether the offender was still stationed at the mess or what he had been imprisoned for.
Neither did she comment on whether the Potchefstroom Correctional Services had rendered any assistance or support to the boy after the incident.
The mother of the victim declined to comment.
