Debate over inmates' communication rights heats up

CAPE Town Mayor Geordin HillLewis said inmates do not have the right to unfettered communication beyond prison walls, while activists argue that it may impact neighbouring communities and to rather root out corrupt officials.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr) said the issue of cellphones drove the reality of corrupt wardens and officials who allowed the devices to make its way into prisons.

The mayor was responding to Sapohr opposition to the City's calls for signal-blocking and communication interception strategies to be piloted at Pollsmoor prison.

Golden Miles Bhudu, National spokesperson of Sapohr, said: "The point is the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) must be kept entirely accountable for the proliferation of cellphones in prisons because it became a multi-million dollar business, between prisoners and corrupt prison guards.