LHR details incidents of alleged abuse and torture against 16 inmates by correctional officials.
Allegations of severe torture against 16 inmates who allegedly witnessed the murder of another inmate by wardens at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Pretoria, have surfaced.
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) have now requested the Pretoria Central Police station to investigate the allegations.
In a letter sent to the station commander, LHR details incidents of alleged abuse and torture against 16 inmates by correctional officials.
Clare Ballard, head of LHR’s Penal Reform Programme, said they were prompted to call for the investigation after receiving an increasing number of complaints of severe assault.
It appears that the alleged incidents of assault have, for the most part, occurred during purported search and seizure operations.
“If we are to prevent incidents of assault and torture, which our international obligations indeed require of us, then the criminal prosecution of those responsible for assaults and torture is vital,” said Ballard.
Source: The Citizen
