Parliament of South Africa
Parliament of South Africa
05/01/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/02/2025 02:07
Media Statement: Correctional Services Committee Chairperson Concerned About Death of Inmate at Goodwood Correctional Centre
Parliament, Thursday, 1 May 2025 - The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services today expressed her deep concern that the death of another inmate has now been found to be due to unnatural cause, this time multiple blunt force injuries.
Four officials from the Goodwood Correctional Centre have been suspended. Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee noted the reports about the four officials being suspended following the death of inmate Mr Quinton Fortuin.
"We noted the reports that Mr Fortuin allegedly attacked a correctional official, causing a broken arm. We noted that other officers had to intervene to subdue him. We further note that the post-mortem indicated that the cause of Mr Fortuin's death was a result of multiple blunt force injuries.
"This is extremely concerning as it comes across as excessive force or extreme measures are used in bringing inmates under control. We saw another incident recently at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. This is totally unacceptable," said Ms Ramolobeng.
"We call on the South African Police Service to thoroughly and speedily conduct its investigation into the inmate's death in Goodwood. We want to express our sincerest condolences to the families and friends in their time of sorrow."
She said the committee will call the Department of Correctional Services and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services to brief it on these matters.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MS KGOMOTSO ANTHEA RAMOLOBENG.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
Four officials from the Goodwood Correctional Centre have been suspended. Committee Chairperson Ms Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng said the committee noted the reports about the four officials being suspended following the death of inmate Mr Quinton Fortuin.
"We noted the reports that Mr Fortuin allegedly attacked a correctional official, causing a broken arm. We noted that other officers had to intervene to subdue him. We further note that the post-mortem indicated that the cause of Mr Fortuin's death was a result of multiple blunt force injuries.
"This is extremely concerning as it comes across as excessive force or extreme measures are used in bringing inmates under control. We saw another incident recently at the Mangaung Correctional Centre. This is totally unacceptable," said Ms Ramolobeng.
"We call on the South African Police Service to thoroughly and speedily conduct its investigation into the inmate's death in Goodwood. We want to express our sincerest condolences to the families and friends in their time of sorrow."
She said the committee will call the Department of Correctional Services and the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services to brief it on these matters.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MS KGOMOTSO ANTHEA RAMOLOBENG.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee's Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za
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