19 Feb 2015

The Minister of Defence Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has told Parliament that he was aware that the Selebi -Phikwe prison water tank has not been cleaned nor disinfected since 2005, because there had not been any need to do so.

He stated that cleaning and disinfection process was undertaken if there was evidence of discoloration of water which could be due to foreign elements like rust and algae which had not been detected in the tank to date. 

However, the minister said there had been detection of water wear and tear of the valves used in the distribution of water from the tank.

He stated that they were working on the bypass of the tank to allow routine maintenance as well as determine the sustainability of having a tank as opposed to having water distributed directly to points of consumption. 

Member of Parliament for Selebi- Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse had asked the minister if he was aware that the water tank at the Selebi -Phikwe prison had not been cleaned nor disinfected since 2005. 

He also asked him how this had affected both warders and prisoners, the measures in place to address the situation and if considerations had been made to bypass the tank. ENDS