Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

30 July 2024

On Tuesday, 23 July 2024, an offender awaiting trial at the Bethal correctional service appeared before the Secunda magistrate court, alleging that the centre is infringing upon his rights.

The court allowed him to voice out his concerns throughout his defense.

Addressing his concerns the offender said he had a dietician and a psychological therapist that he was attending at Evander hospital, but he was forcibly transferred to the centre clinic which does not take care of his medical needs.

The offender insisted on being transferred back to Evander hospital, where all his medical requirements were satisfied.

The offender also claimed to have blood cloths, and he demonstrated to the court tissues that he frequently used had blood cloths.

Moreover, he blamed the facility for not treating his stomach ulcer.

“Why are my rights violated? I have applications that I’ve been showing to the head of Bethal correctional services, I have gone a month without receiving my psyche medication, right now I’m even having blared vision. I told my family I’m suffering in prison, I was assaulted another offender and wanted to open a case, “said the offender raising his concerns.

The offender also accused the center of ignoring his applications for a toothache which he alleges causes him blurriness in his vision.

Mr Chongo, the head of Bethal correctional services, testified on behalf of the correctional service.

According to Mr Chongo, with regards to the health of all offenders at the centre, the correctional facility has its own policies and procedures that they follow when an offender is taken in.

“Before taking an offender in, we first ask them weather they have ongoing medical conditions or any other chronic illnesses. When it comes to correctional services, we only send an offender to a hospital outside Bethal if only Bethal hospital does not offer the services required.

This is because we have to take into account the security concerns and other issues, ” Mr Chongo clarified as to why Bethal hospital is the referral hospital for all offenders.

 Mr Chongo went on to say that after an incident is reported, the center carry out their own internal investigations. The offender was yelling after he was dismissed, threatening to stab someone because they are not listening to his outcry