Inmate Killed, Four Officials Injured in Oudtshoorn Prison Stabbing

The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, has condemned a violent stabbing incident at Oudtshoorn Correctional Centre, which left one inmate dead and four prison officials injured.

According to Thobakgale, the violence erupted after officials conducted a cell search on Wednesday, during which contraband, including cellphones and narcotics, was confiscated.

The following day, during routine unlock procedures, the same group of inmates allegedly launched a coordinated attack, stabbing several officials. In the ensuing altercation, one inmate sustained fatal injuries.

Thobakgale said the inmates implicated in the stabbings have since been placed in single cells pending disciplinary action. “All the units at Medium A had to be re-searched, leading to the discovery and confiscation of additional weapons,” he stated.

As a security measure, all offender activities and visits at the facility have been suspended until further notice.