https://twitter.com/orrin417/status/1610183036641120256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1610183036641120256%7Ctwgr%5E01e0500a039a61f60e69e2c29082f849411b53b6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeslive.co.za%2Fnews%2Fsouth-africa%2F2023-01-03-watch-rubber-bullets-fly-during-search-operation-at-boksburg-prison%2F
By Karabo Rammutla
Prisoners at the Boksburg prison claimed all they were doing was playing football when warders fired rubber bullets at them.
The incident happened on Monday and it was recorded by prisoners who shared the videos on social media and with friends and relatives.
In the video, a prisoner says they were playing football on the prison grounds when authorities used rubber bullets to disperse them.
A helicopter is also seen hovering above the prison as rubber bullets rain down on the prisoners.
However, prison officials tell a different story.
Department of Correctional Services spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, says the incident came about when a group of inmates became unruly and barricaded a sectional gate during a search operation.
“This was in retaliation to a mandatory searching operation by the National Task Team of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as part of its Festive Season Security Operation,” he said.
He says: “The DCS will never compromise the safety and security of other inmates, officials, members of the community, and service providers.”
He says prisoners having phones and other contraband is of grave concern for the department.
“Some of the images circulating via social media platforms come from inmates making a mockery of the correctional system,” he says.
“This is a clear indication that the few unruly inmates who sought to prevent the search exercise knew they were hiding contraband in their cells,” says Nxumalo.
Disclaimer: Video above contains harmful language some may find offensive.
Pictured above: Boksburg Prison
Image source: Bhekisisa
