The images of women dressed in what looks like underclothes caused a stir on social media on Monday.
Department of Correctional Services acting national commissioner James Smalberger briefed the media on Monday and did not confirm whether the women were strippers or not.
Smalberger instead said the women’s presence in the prison, popularly known as Sun City, was a breach of security.
“That was a clear breach of the security plan that was provided for the event as well as other relevant policies and procedures,” he said.
He apologised to South Africans, saying the incident was unacceptable.
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According to Correctional Services head of communication Logan Maistry and Smalberger, there were six entertainment items approved for the event and the “strippers” were not one of them.
This incident is the first of its kind, said Smalberger. “I also wanted to give assurances that, based on briefings that we received on our visit to the place where this event happened, there was no taxpayers’ money involved in this entertainment as we call it. It was nothing in terms of the correctional services,” he said.
According to Smalberger, it was not unusual to have social events with NGOs rehabilitating prisoners.
“We need to keep in mind that people in these facilities will eventually be released into society. The rehabilitation has many forms and we have what we call sports and recreational arts and culture, and you would have seen that sometimes we would have athletic competitions and entertainment.”
“We have many social partners that are assisting, where they will participate in gumboot dancing or going out into society such as schools,” said Smalberger.
He said the investigation will assist in identifying whether the women were “strippers” or dancers. The investigation is expected to be concluded by Friday and a report handed over to Minister Michael Masutha.
Here is a list of the funniest/controversial/infuriated #PrisonStrippers tweets:
Expect other prisons to demand #PrisonStrippers too after #Leeukop prison entertainment gig. #SouthAfrica
— Яay (@rayzuh) June 27, 2017
#PrisonStrippers so they are trying to stop male prisoners from sleeping with each other by offering them some strippers? Hayi le democracy pic.twitter.com/FOyUntw1re
— Naledi Yona (@NalediYona) June 27, 2017
South African prisoners are enjoying life than most people who are living out here #PrisonStrippers
— Chris👣 (@Chris_matams) June 27, 2017
#PrisonStrippers thats one of the reason crime is too high in S.A..prisoners have access to many things..KFC..Strippers Haebooo pic.twitter.com/usb7U0yOnF
— Sipho Knoxman (@mrlegoale) June 27, 2017
#PrisonStrippers
Parents: stay in school or you will end up in jail👇👇👇👇👇 #clappers pic.twitter.com/3AIFY8Ru6M
— Godfrey 🌍 (@godfreysefako) June 27, 2017
#PrisonStrippers Maybe our President will turn himself in on those 784 charges…😆😆
— Humbled Guru (@Lourens_Junior) June 27, 2017
I’m considering committing a crime – I wanna go to jail because in real life I’ve never been able to afford a stripper #PrisonStrippers
— Paul Claassen (@Kawasaki__900) June 27, 2017
Ngala women go missing because of men and the same men are sent women to dance for them! #PrisonStrippers pic.twitter.com/42KpS9htj2
— MainKaAKA (@MoPhat_) June 27, 2017
#PrisonStrippers There are many issues here How did strippers get there Who authorized it & who had phone that took pictures #CORRUPTION
— Michael Roberts (@proventeach) June 27, 2017
#PrisonStrippers
Dude I’m not a prisoner and I’ve never in my life seen a stripper in real life , a guy behind bars beat me to it. pic.twitter.com/mke8He1BTi— 🇿🇦 EFFWORD 🔥☠️ (@TIAGOSOUL_) June 26, 2017
Only in South Africa do prisoners get the luxury of strip shows. Must be nice. #PrisonStrippers
— Karabo Mokgoko (@Karabo_Mokgoko) June 26, 2017
The presidency is so used to denying everything that Zuma has already sent out a statement on the #PrisonStrippers pic.twitter.com/Fv8RlpNRVM
— AbortedNews (@AbortedNews) June 26, 2017
#PrisonStrippers
One of the biggest brands in mzansi does it again
RT if u also see U…..i in that guy with blue hoodie pic.twitter.com/TzWCFPvugg— Dzaddy_mO® (@mO_Moremi) June 26, 2017