(1) (a) and (b) (i) and (ii)

Detainees in terms of the Emergency Regulations

No.

However, thirty-one detainees in terms of the Emergency Regulations refused the meals served to them from lunch on 25 January 1988. Five of the thirty-one detainees took dinner on 27 January 1988. Another detainee refused his meals from breakfast on 28 January 1988. The five who took dinner on 27 January again refused breakfast on 28 January 1988. All the detainees took breakfast on 29 January 1988 and thereafter continued taking their meals regularly. The detainees refused to give a reason for their actions during this time and stated that they are not on a hunger strike.

Sentenced prisoners and prisoners awaiting trial

Yes.

A sentenced prisoner at East London Prison refused the meals served to him from 5 January 1988 up to and including lunch on 8 January 1988. The reason he gave for his hunger strike was that the doctor had not prescribed the “right” medical treatment for his complaints. However, he thereafter consulted two other doctors on five occasions.

(2) Yes.

In terms of Prisons Regulation 103 the Head of a Prison shall see every prisoner daily, investigate every complaint and request submitted by a prisoner and, as far as possible, dispose thereof. All these complaints and the manner of disposal are recorded and any complaint and request which cannot be disposed of by the Head of the Prison is submitted to the Commanding Officer without delay for his attention and disposal.

Furthermore, Judges of the Supreme Court also visit prisons, and complaints and requests may also be submitted on these occasions.

The honourable member did not indicate for which period the information is required, but for the purpose of answering the question, complaints regarding medical care/food submitted during January 1988 by an average of 1 183 prisoners and 52 detainees incarcerated in the East London Prison during that month, are furnished.

Complaints by sentenced prisoners and prisoners who were awaiting trial:

None.

Complaints by detainees in terms of Section 29 of Act 74/1982

None.

Complaints by detainees in terms of the Emergency Regulations 88.01.20

COMPLAINT: A detainee alleged that the bread was stale.

DISPOSAL: The Head and the Assistant Head of the Prison investigated the matter personally and found the complaint to be without any substance. No other prisoner or detainee had complaints in this regard. The detainees in terms of the Emergency Regulations however also submitted a list of complaints to the Head of the Prison on 7 January 1988. The nature and extent of the complaints were however vague and contained generalisations. The Head of the Prison requested the detainees to lay their complaints individually in order that the complaints could be recorded and attended to thoroughly. No complaints were received from individuals in this regard.

It should also be mentioned that the District Surgeon inspects prepared and raw rations as well as the kitchen utensils on a regular basis.

(3) No.

1. (1) (a) and (b)
   None on 31 December 1987
   1. (i), (ii), (aa) and (bb) Fall away.
      In general it can, however, be mentioned that the South African Prisons Service places a high premium on the medical treatment of all persons entrusted to its care. In this regard the nursing staff of the Prisons Service are guided by the medical officer (district surgeon) and his prescriptions and orders are carried out carefully. This includes general treatment which can be provided in the prison and prison hospitals, hospitalizing in private or provincial hospitals and treatment by specialists.
      This approach also applies to pregnant women and provide for their specific needs.
2. (2) Regarding detainees in prisons under the auspices of the SA Prisons Service, one baby was born during the period 1 January 1987 to 31 December 1987 in a hospital outside a prison to which the mother was referred by a medical practitioner for the birth. The mother was a detainee in terms of the emergency regulations.
   In terms of Prisons Regulation 94, a female prisoner may be permitted to have her baby with her in prison during the period of lactation and for such further period as may be necessary, subject to such conditions as are prescribed.
   The necessary clothing, food, vaccinations and medical treatment in general are provided by the State.
   The eventual removal of the baby is, furthermore, subject to a certificate by a medical practitioner that the child, if separated from the mother, will not suffer mentally or physically.
   The honourable member is also referred to my reply to question number 344 on 18 March 1988.

For the information of the Honourable Member it must be mentioned that:

• — The information requested is not kept at a central point. Consequently a special survey had to be done. Such surveys are expensive and manpower intensive.
• — It is not clear as to which specific prisons the Honourable Member requires information. For the sake of completeness the Heads of all the prisons in the Pollsmoor, Victor Verster and Modderbee Prison Commands as well as the Heads of the Middelburg Prison in the Cape Province and the Middelburg Prison in Transvaal, were approached for the information in question.

As mentioned in my reply to Oral Question No 22 on 1 March 1988, it has already been accepted as policy that each prisoner should be provided with a bed and a mattress. However, financial and accommodation realities determine the tempo at which the policy can be implemented. At present 45 791 beds are already in use country-wide.

Details as at 15 March 1988.

The above-mentioned information is not representative of the situation in all 241 prisons in the Republic of South Africa. Prison hospitals were equipped with beds as first priority. All prisoners receive clean and adequate bedding which can be increased or decreased according to prevailing weather conditions.

The following particulars are furnished as on 31 March 1988:

Yes;

1. (2) No.
   1. (a) and (b) The survey of housing needs is not a once-only survey which will be completed on a certain date, but as an ongoing process in order to maintain a reliable concept of housing shortages on a continuous basis.

According to the computerised waiting-list programme, 31 871 cases in respect of Whites who has some kind of housing need, were registered up to 22 April 1988, of which the particulars are as follows:

No;

(a) and (b) The Department of Local Government, Housing and Works finances the construction of dwellings by local authorities, housing utility companies and welfare organisations from the Development and Housing Fund. The information indicated below reflects the housing in respect of projects at present under construction in 1988 or which will be constructed in 1988:

(a) and (b) No; but the honourable member is kindly referred to my reply to Question 7.

1. (1) Yes. A new prison for 355 prisoners is envisaged.
   1. (a)
      1. (i)
         1. (aa) Civil works commenced on 27 August 1987 and subject to the availability of funds, construction of the buildings is scheduled to commence during 1989.
         2. (bb) The projected construction period is 30 months, and it is expected that building works will be completed during 1991/ 1992, provided that funds are available throughout that period.
      2. (ii) The prison will be inaugurated as soon as possible after completion.
   2. (b) The estimated cost of the project is R22,6 million.
2. (2) (a) (b) and (c) Yes. The SA Prisons Service registered the need for a new prison to replace the existing prison at Umzinto with the Department of Public Works and Land Affairs during 1967. Since then liaison has taken place with various interested parties over a wide spectrum which cannot be dealt with within the scope of this reply. However, should the honourable member require details regarding representations by or contact with a specific individual, interest group or body, the information will gladly be furnished.
3. (3) No.

Yes.

1. (a)
   1. (i) Nil
   2. (ii) 248
2. (b) 20 April 1988

1. (1) Yes, 367
2. (2) Yes
   1. (a) 163
   2. (b) Nil

Yes

1. (a) 33
2. (b) 204 as at 20 April 1988.

1. (a) 313
2. (b) 179
3. (c) 62

Yes

1. (a) 9
2. (b) Dismissals due to redundancy and abscondment.

1. (1) Yes
   1. (a) 177
   2. (b) 22
   3. (c) 5
      As at 20 April 1988.
2. (2) No.

1. (1) Yes — 1984 to 1987.
   1. (a) Not known.
   2. (b) 1984 —None.
      1985/1986 — Rylands Secondary School — Cape.
      1987 —None.
2. (2) Yes.
   1. (a) 1984 — None.
      1985 — None.
      1986 — Rylands Secondary School.
      1987 —None.
   2. (b) 1986 —R2 936.
   3. (c) 1986 —R2 936.
   4. (d) State Revenue Fund.
3. (3) No.

1. (a)
   1. (i) 14
   2. (ii) 329
2. (b)
   1. (i) Confirmation: Nil.
      Advisory: 81.
   2. (ii) 31 March 1988.