Five correctional officers and two inmates at the Hardap correctional facility were injured during a fight on Tuesday morning.
Officer in charge of the facility, Commissioner Sam Franz was amongst the officers who sustained injuries. 
Franz was allegedly stabbed in the stomach. 

This was confirmed yesterday by Namibian Correctional Services spokesperson, Commissioner Sam Shaalulange. 
According to Shaalulange, a routine search was being conducted at the prison and inmates were being divided into groups within the C-section of the facility before the search could start.  

However, inmates reportedly refused to be grouped, citing fears of contracting Covid-19. 
“A unit is holding over 200 inmates and you can imagine these are a lot of inmates in one unit. So, there was an argument with the officers that escalated to a point where the inmates assaulted the officers,” explained Shaalulange. 

He added correctional officers were left with no option but to use force to end the confrontation, as fighting escalated. 
As a result of the tussle, five correctional officers and two inmates were injured during the fight. 
All injured inmates were taken to the hospital. 
One of the two injured inmates is currently receiving medical attention at Mariental state hospital, while Franz was discharged yesterday morning.

Shaalulange further noted a team has been assigned to thoroughly investigate the incident. 
“Out of that investigation, we are going to determine who were responsible and what really went wrong. There are also procedural issues as there is no way 200 inmates can be controlled by two officers – it is not allowed. So, through this investigation we will be able to determine all that and what was the real cause of the incident,” explained Shaalulange.
Further noting the parties found to be responsible be it the inmates or correctional officers will be dealt with accordingly.
- mamakali@nepc.com.na