Mr. McGothy Tobackgale, Commissioner of the Department of Corrections; (DCS)
The head of the National Correctional Service, Makgoti Tobakugale, has appointed an investigation into allegations that wealthy prisoners are bribed to be admitted to private hospitals.
This comes as the Mail & Guardian revealed whistleblower claims last week that politically connected corruption defendant Toshan Pandey and murder convict Rajvi Soni were illegally staying at a private hospital. This is in response to what happened.
Pandey, who is on trial in separate cases of tax evasion and corruption for providing accommodation to South African police personnel during the 2010 World Cup, has spent most of his time in private hospitals since his arrest, whistleblowers said. That's what it means.
Soni, who is serving 23 years in prison for plotting the murder of his ex-wife's lover, bribed officials at Pietermaritzburg New Prison based on a false diagnosis provided by a friend of his, a heart surgeon, and admitted him to a private hospital. He also claimed that he had allowed him to spend an extended period of time in the country.
Department of Corrections spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said in a statement on Monday morning that Tobakugale had taken “robust action” against allegations that he had given preferential treatment to wealthy prisoners, particularly Panday.
Mr Nxumalo said a deputy commissioner had been appointed to conduct a “thorough investigation” into the validity of the accusations.
The investigation “focuses on determining whether prisoners are being treated in a way that is contrary to their privileges or the law.” [department] Westville Correctional Center “Policies and Standards.”
“The Department of Corrections is committed to maintaining fairness and equality in the treatment of all inmates, regardless of their economic or social status,” Nxumalo said.
“Beyond this particular investigation, the appointed investigator will study the standard operating procedures within the facility and ensure that they are consistent with the principles of integrity, fairness, and equity that are fundamental to the correctional system. I'll make sure.”
He said operational practices must be applied consistently across all 243 correctional facilities in the country and the department “remains steadfast in its mission to manage corrections with accountability and transparency.”
