The Public Servants Association (PSA) of South Africa has defended a Youth Day event at the Johannesburg “Sun City” prison, which caused an uproar after photographs of scantily clothed dancers entertaining inmates went viral on social media.
The Department of Correctional Services suspended 13 employees last month following the reports that strippers were brought in as part of the day’s festivities.
But the PSA – which represented most of the suspended officials – said it was “unfortunate” that social media “took an innocent entertainment programme of the Youth Day celebrations at the prison and turned it into something ugly”.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the union said the public holiday was celebrated every year in prisons with various programmes.
The statement further read that this year was no different and there had been no deviation at “Sun City” from the programme submitted to and approved by the area commissioner.
Provincial manager of the union Monica Venter said it is unfortunate that what really happened with the dance number was misconstrued by ill-minded individuals with their own agenda.
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