The Kutama Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison in Louis Trichardt was Monday morning once again the scene of a violent confrontation between inmates and prison warders of SACM (South African Custodial Management).

The drama started when a small group of prisoners mobilized in one of the housing sections to vandalize a portion of the prison. They set alight some offices outside the housing blocks and vandalized the kiosk, as well as an accommodation section for plus minus 98 offenders.

The resulting fire severely damaged infrastructure and the help of the Makhado Fire Brigade was called in to extinguish the flames. Members of the South African Police Service also closely monitored the situation, while warders brought the rowdy crowd under control.

No injuries to staff were reported.

Within hours of the incident, the management of the prison released a short press release, stating that the safety of the community was at no stage threatened.

The Kutama Sinthumule Maximum Security Prison saw its first violent uprising in March 2006. An all-out battle by prison officials to regain control of the prison raged on for hours after more than 1 000 of the country’s most dangerous prisoners took control of one of the four units. The uprising saw the death of one prisoner, while numerous other prisoners, as well as prison warders, sustained injuries.

Just over four months ago, the prison’s reputation was also dealt a blow with the escape of two dangerous criminals.

As for the reason why the prisoners set the prison alight on Monday, it is said that it was out of frustration with the town’s continued water cuts at all hours of the day. Also mentioned was frustration with the gratuity amount prisoners received for work done.

At the time of going to press, the whole prison was still in total lock-down. It was, however, rumoured that the prison was to receive a visit from the Minister of Correctional Services on Freedom Day to discuss the latest uprising.