Businessman Sifiso Zulu has been transferred from Westville Prison to a rural correctional facility, alledgedly, against his will.
|||Jailed businessman Sifiso Zulu has been transferred from Westville Prison to a rural correctional facility 60km outside Pietermaritzburg, a move which has outraged his lawyer, who called it “highly irregular” and unconstitutional.
Attorney Lonwabo Dandala, confirmed that Zulu had been transferred on Friday and said it appeared there were vindictive people who were determined to make his client miserable.
A prison source said claims that Zulu was attracting too much media attention after his incarceration at Westville – and that he was being allowed late night visitors by warders in exchange for bribes – could have led to his sudden transfer to the rural Sevontein Prison.
The source said Sevontein was a farm prison where they grow vegetables and rear animals to supply other prisons in the province. “It is a big prison with more than 1 000 inmates,” he said.
Dandala said Zulu’s transfer was personally overseen by the Department of Correctional Services regional commissioner, Mnikelwa Nxele.
Nxele confirmed Zulu had been moved but refused to disclose where.
“The transfer of prisoners is the responsibility of the Department of Correctional Services.
“I do not have to ask the lawyer for permission first. Prisoners are transferred all the time.
“It is nothing unusual. All factors are considered before the transfer and ultimately it is in the best interest of the prisoner.”
Dandala said Zulu had been transferred against his will and there appeared to be a hidden agenda.
“I find it strange that a senior person such as Nxele found the time to get into his car to go and supervise my client’s transfer personally,” Dandala said.
“What is even stranger is that neither myself nor his family was informed about the transfer. We came to know about it afterwards.”
He described the move as “highly irregular”.
“Nxele must give us reasons for Zulu’s transfer. It was a very clandestine operation,” Dandala said.
“First he was denied bail, and now this. It seems like there is a conspiracy against him. This is not a democratic society we live in. But, considering all of this, Zulu is hanging in there. He is strong. We will continue to fight for justice.”
He also described Zulu’s transfer as unconstitutional.
“According to my knowledge, one of the most fundamental reasons for transferring a prisoner is because of family ties. Zulu has no family ties in Pietermaritzburg. His home is in Durban. His mother and child live in Chesterville,” Dandala said.
“His mother will not be able to use public transport to get to him.
“She is old and the caregiver of Zulu’s child.
“His family is shocked and disappointed at his sudden transfer.”
Responding to allegations that Zulu had bribed warders in exchange for late night visitors while in the prison hospital, Dandala said prison authorities must show proof of such claims.
“If there are allegations of bribery and corruption against Zulu, I want to see the proof. The prison authorities must open an inquiry and investigate the allegations. We will not tolerate baseless claims.”
Nxele said he did not see what all the hype was around Zulu.
“He is not a high profile prisoner or being granted special privileges. He is in prison uniform and eats the same food as the other 27 000 prisoners in the province.”
He said Zulu’s transfer was an internal arrangement and details of why he was transferred would not be publicly disclosed.
“There are no hidden agendas. This was not a clandestine or secret operation. Following Zulu’s assessment it was decided it was in his best interest to move him. It was by mutual consent and he is happy.
“If Zulu’s family have any questions or concerns they must contact me directly. I will give them the answers they are looking for.”
Nxele denied that Zulu was moved because of allegations of bribery or corruption.
Two sources told the Daily News that Zulu was transferred at about midday on Friday.
They said it was a sudden and unexpected move, apparently ordered by Nxele.
“He (Zulu) wanted his bodyguards to… check out the prison before he got there, but this request was declined. In cases of high profile prisoners who are at risk or if there are allegations of bribery and corruption, prisoners can be transferred,” said a source.
“He will be placed in a maximum security, single cell section. This way, his movement and access to other prisoners will be very limited.
“Basically, he will be in isolation most of the time. Contact with the outside world is also restricted.”
The sources said Zulu’s incarceration had attracted too much media attention and this could be another reason for his transfer. - Daily News