Parliament demands answers after inmate's mysterious death

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services has raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities and unexplained "natural deaths" at Goodwood Correctional Centre following an unannounced oversight visit on Wednesday.

- WENDY DONDOLO

Committee Chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng led the inspection, accompanied by committee member Janho Engelbrecht, to probe recent incidents at the facility, including the death of an inmate said to have died of natural causes.

The visit included stops at the hospital section, firearms and ammunition stores, and the cell where the inmate had been housed prior to his death.

During the visit, Ramolobeng said inmates had provided disturbing accounts of the night the deceased inmate fell ill before dying.