Fishrot Six face jail water rationing

OGONE TLHAGE

The taps have all but run dry at the Windhoek Central Correctional Facility, leaving scores of prisoners facing water rationing, including the so-called Fishrot Six.
This was confirmed to Namibian Sun by Raphael Hamunyela, the commissioner-general of the Namibia Correctional Services.
The prison is currently home to former minister of fisheries Bernhardt Esau, former justice minister Sacky Shanghala, former Investec CEO James Hatuikulipi, suspended Investec manager Ricardo Gustavo, Hanganeni employee Pius Mwatelulo and Esau’s son-in-law Tamson Hatuikulipi, who are all facing charges in the Fishrot bribery scandal.
Hamunyela said the water cut was not because Correctional Services owed the City of Windhoek money but rather because of leaking pipes.
“A company was contracted to fix the prison’s main water supply. The facility is very old, that is the reason we are experiencing water shortages. We have a lot of money to pay the City of Windhoek so our water supply has not been cut,” Hamunyela said.
According to him, the contractor is not having much success installing a new pipeline and is also struggling to contain the leaks.
“The company is failing; they are still busy with the maintenance,” he said.
Hamunyela could not indicate when the water supply to the prison would be restored.
A correctional officer who spoke to Namibian Sun expressed worry about the situation.
“If the offenders stay more days without water that will bring problems because the offenders using anti-retroviral tablets cannot take their tablets because there is no water at the prison. Offenders at Unit 4 wanted to fight with us officers because there is no water at the facility,” the officer said.