RE-OPENING OF DETENTION CELLS IN KRUGERSDORP

By Insp Shaun Chetty
Photographer: Insp Theo van Wyk

The reopening of the Krugersdorp South African Police Service detention cells took place on Friday, 8 April 2005. The cells had been upgraded and according to Snr Superintendent Henry Mollegai, Head of Crime Prevention, the prison will be functional for the first time in four years.

Sen Supt Eugene van der Merwe opening the first gate to the prison.

He said that the reopening of this facility will ensure that police officials do not have to travel long distances to access the nearest available detention cells. The facility will house 520 inmates with an upgraded mess.

Snr Supt Mollegai officially handed the keys of the facility to Snr Supt van der Merwe. Shortly thereafter the first suspect to be locked up in the new prison cells was brought in.Among the onlookers someone jokingly said that the Krugersdorp SAPS is eager to fill the cells. So, it looks like criminals are going to have a hard time in that part of town.

Room where fingerprints are taken prior to entering prison cells.

Passage that leads to all prison cells.