Four prison warders were stabbed by prisoners at the Drakenstein Correctional Maximum Centre on Wednesday. Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed the incident and said that it happened around 7am. The cause of the attack is unclear.

SELF MADE WEAPONS

Nxumalo said that inmates from the Medium B section of the facility used self-made sharpened objects to stab the prison officials. "Prisoners are very creative and make weapons out of anything including soap, cups and toothbrushes. There's no telling of how and why they make these things, however the environment is very hostile," said Nxumalo.  Nxumalo added that thefour wardens who are injured have been taken to hospital for medical treatment," he said.

LIVES IN CONSTANT DANGER

In 2015,five wardens were stabbed at the same facility soon after serving the inmate's breakfast. It was reported then that the wardens were stabbed in a ?spilling of the blood' ritual for gang members. A similar incident took place in December at the St Albans Correctional Facility, Eastern Cape' biggest prison, where three warders were stabbed during breakfast. This ongoing violent behaviour is also caused by overcrowding in our facilities. Security measures are compromised and need to be always tightened because there's no telling when these violent attacks may happen," said Nxumalo. 

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR 

Nxumalo said the Department is appalled by such incidents where inmates show flagrant disrespect for the law. "They boastfully attack officials for iniquitous reasons.  A full investigation is to be instituted and we were left with no choice but to deploy minimum force in an attempt to stop the attack."