'BANDIETE KANNIE KLA NIE'

"You do not have a right to complain."

This is the message given to juvenile bandiete by the Portfolio Committee for Correctional Services chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng amid an oversight visit to the notorious  prison. 

Officials and committee members descended on the mang yesterday as they conducted visits of various facilities at the prison including kitchens, workshops, juvenile holding cells as well as clinics and pharmacies. 

The notorious prison which holds some of the most dangerous Cape Flats skollies was buzzing as insiders told the Daily Voice that inmates and officials had allegedly gone on a skarrel to clean the prison ahead of the visit. 

While visiting the clinics, desperate inmates took the opportunity to raise their concerns as they waited for medical treatment. 

One bandiet was close to tears as he told the committee chairperson that due to diabetes he had lost his toes and was desperate for medical care. Others claimed they were left traumatised by the ongoings in prison, saying they had no access to social workers. 

As the smell of urine hung in the air, one bandiet whispered: "Ons kan nie eens was nie mevrou". 

One brave tronkvoël who is awaiting trial and has not been convicted opted to address Ramolobeng, revealing that the showers were out of use.

But she turned and lambasted them for getting arrested in the first place, saying: "Why are you complaining about showers and bed and all that?

"When you were outside doing what you were doing, you didn’t think that you would come here in this situation. This is not home.

"When you rob anyone, when you stab anyone, when you get caught you are going to end up here and you will stay here until you are convicted.

"The showers you are complaining about, the blankets you are complaining about will be your situation until you get out of here." 

She further elaborated that many of the juveniles were granted bail but that their parents had refused to pay.   

As the committee exited, several DCS officials were seen shaking their heads with one official telling the Daily Voice that plans were underway to fix the showers. 

After the visit the Ramolobeng walked back her earlier comments saying she was responding emotionally. 

"Inmates have rights…What I said there was out of emotions because I am a mother,’ she said and claimed that the lack of showers is a ‘worry factor’.