Officer reveals trauma of executions

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Tuesday March 24, 2009 00:00

 

Last Saturday, Florence Selaledi told the Minister for Labour and Home Affairs, Peter Siele that prison wardens are always traumatised after executions. Speaking at the Centre for Illegal Immigrants in Francistown, where Siele was meeting wardens at the end of his tour of prison facilities last Saturday afternoon, Selaledi said: 'We are having problems Rre Siele, having to live with the reality that we are made to take care of inmates on death row and then expected to execute them. This is worrisome. Minister Siele, you will notice that it is so bad for us to continue rehabilitating inmates to the extent that we bond with them only to be expected to execute them', declared Selaledi.

She pointed out that the executions are not good for prison wardens and the arrangement should be changed. At the centre of her worries is the fact that they are not getting thorough counselling after executions.

She pleaded that the prisons officers should be allowed to mainly do the core business of rehabilitation.

When he rose to speak, at the multi-purposehall at the Centre for Illegal Immigrants, Siele failed to respond to the issues raised by Selaledi. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Prisons in charge of security, Shirley Owageng could not discuss the matter, insisting that the issue is sensitive. Siele expressed the same sentiments after the meeting. 'The officer just raised the issue, but in my view it is a very sensitive one and I don't want to talk about this issue of execution just like that. You could have realised that I was reluctant to talk about the issue because it is a very sensitive matter and I would prefer to come back to you at a later time,' he said. At the meeting, Siele was accompanied by deputy permanent secretary, Lucky Moahi, director of civil and national registration, Mabuse Pule, Owageng and acting divisional commander north Assistant Commissioner, Oageng Diseko.

One of the prison officers, Sergeant Neneketsang Phemelo complained about shortage of transport, which he said is affecting them a great deal in the execution of their duties. He complained that the prisons association did not have any meaningful powers.

'I plead that it should be empowered to be able to negotiate certain conditions of service. During this age and era, I deem the use of batons and handcuffs to guard dangerous criminals risky business,' said Phemelo. He added that such criminals were brought to prison by heavily armed police officers.

Phemelo pleaded that as the country continues to grapple with the HIV/AIDS scourge, Siele should consider conducting an inquiry into the calls to give inmates condoms.

Assistant Principal Officer, Tholwana Moseki complained about the absence of winter uniform. He said they suffer during winter, especially those who work at night. She told the minister that the prisons department is lagging behind in technology. She said they still do not have computers.

Another visibly worried officer, Sergeant Joyce Hulela said that their department seems to be concerned with the welfare of inmates at the expense of officers.

The issue of uniform dominated proceedings as officers, superintendent David Phele, assistant superintendent Samson Isaac, Sergeant Molatedi Lenkobe and others complained about it. In response, Siele indicated that some of the problems raised were caused by the fact that the prisons association is not effective. 'All the issues relating to your welfare are going to be taken seriously with all the relevant people,' he said to deafening applause. 'I am also delighted that the tour of prisons facilities has unearthed some interesting issues,' he added. Siele said there was a need to restructure the prisons association so that it could help in the running of the department. He assured officers that the general conditions of service would be taken care of.