The situation at Kutama Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison has returned to normal, following last week’s violent prison uproar which left one prisoner dead and numerous others, including prison warders, injured.

“The situation at the prison remains stable and calm and the striking warders have returned to their posts at the prison,” said Mr Stephen Korabie, managing director of South African Custodial Management (SACM).

According to official sources, 800 prisoners had to be relocated temporarily to correctional facilities in four different provinces, after over 1 000 inmates went on the rampage in one of the units at the prison, causing massive destruction inside the facility.

“We expect to have the damaged prison unit up and running within the next two weeks and appropriate measures will be taken for the return of the prisoners,” said Korabie.

In the meantime, both internal and external investigations are underway to provide answers about the death of one prisoner and the effects of the strike by the prison warders.