THOHOYANDOU – A former inmate, Azwinndini Tshikovhi (35), who served a six years term of his eight years sentence in the Thohoyandou Central Prison, says he has not yet received the R15 000 he is owed by prison warders, besides promises made three years ago.

Tshikovhi was one of the inmates who were running the money-lending scheme in the prison. The scheme that served the majority of warders in the prison continued until some of the warders failed to pay back the money because the interest were too much.

The management of the prison became aware of the scheme when the inmates were complaining that the warders were failing to pay their money back. As a result, a special investigating unit from Pretoria under the chairmanship of Mr Mervin Perumal investigated the matter, as well as more allegations of corruption.

Perumal then established that it was true that warders borrowed money from inmates, agreeing that they will pay it back with 30% interest.

It was also discovered that there were some officials within the prison who were running a dagga-selling scheme, while using inmates to sell these dagga to other inmates.

Perumal recommended that warders who borrowed money should be assisted on how to manage their finance while they were also charged inter-departmental. It was also recommended that they should pay back the money they owe to inmates.

However, Tshikovhi, who was released on parole last year May, said his attempt to get his money back from the warders failed until today. Even other inmates who are owed by warders were never paid.

Tshikovhi said the warders told them they couldn't pay the money back as they were charged departmentally. Management also failed to help inmates get their money.

The prison manger, Ken Bower confirmed that they have charged the warders departmentally. However, he said they were failing to force the members to pay back money to the inmates, as there is no such provision in their guidelines.

"We charged warders departmentally. Some of them, we gave them final warning. However, there is no provision in our disciplinary procedure that allows us to force the members to pay the money they owe to inmates. This matter is between the two parties, and there is no written proof that the two borrowed each other money on certain condition. We advised inmates to report the matter to the police, of which they did. As they did not get help, I think they must report this matter to the small claims court," said Bower while adding that they are against corruption.

However, Tshikovhi of Phiphidi village, said there is no way he can let this matter as it is. He said it was not his fault to lend money to the warders, as he did not know the rule.

"About nine warders owe me R15 000 which I gave them in 1998. Whenever, we approached the warders, they told us they were already charged, which is irrelevant. After I was released from prison last year May 28, I thought I was going to get my money, but whenever I go there, the senior managers tell me I must not approach the warders as I will be disturbing them at work. My problem is that if I approach these warders at their homes, they might change the statement and implicate me, which might force me back to prison."