Bandiete have threatened to go on a kaalgat strike unless the government allows them to get visitors again.
Thousands of prisoners across the country will this week engage in “nudity and hunger” strike action, demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa lift the ban on prison visits during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The ban was imposed three months ago to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the mang.
Miles Bhudu, from the SA Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR), said offenders were left disappointed when Ramaphosa on Thursday announced a further relaxation on the Covid-19 regulations but left out the prison visiting ban.
Bhudu said he had written to Ramaphosa and Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola asking them to indicate when the ban on prison visitors would be lifted, before 17 June, but he had not received a response.
NO RESPONSE: Minister Ronald Lamola
“As from Monday (today) SAPOHR will have no other alternative and as a last resort had called for prison disobedience in South African prisons.
“This action will include (prisoners) refusing to work, strip naked, refuse to eat and be counted, mobilise and conscientise the prisoner population to stand up and fight for their rights,” said Bhudu.
However, Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said visitation at jails would remain suspended as “a measure to buffer heightened risk of infections and flatten the curve.”
Bhudu suggested that a limited number of visitors could be allowed per day because the lack of visitors makes bandiete“stressed out.”
“You are turned into a wild animal, and the rehabilitation completely collapses as when your loved ones visits you, it takes off that stress,” said Bhudu.
Nxumalo said prisoners are still allowed to call loved ones.