The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has set the record straight on a series of viral images featuring a female inmate cosying up to a male prison warden.
DCS CLEARS UP VIRAL IMAGES OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER ‘ROMANCE’
On social media, images of a romantic engagement between a female inmate and a male correctional officer went viral. According to some posts, the alleged incident took place outside Westville prison in Durban.
DCS quickly set the record straight about the social media posts that suggested inappropriate conduct between a public servant and a prisoner.
In a statement, it said, “DCS can confirm that the videos and pictures were taken from a set of a popular television drama, Uzalo. The individuals depicted are actors in costume, not real correctional officers or inmates.
The department added: “We urge the public and media outlets to verify facts before spreading harmful misinformation. Disinformation not only damages reputations but also hinders public trust in vital institutions.”
‘UNIFORMS SHOULD BE OFF LIMITS’
On social media, South Africans reacted to DCS’s statement byurgingg the department to ban official uniforms for TV and entertainment.
@ItumelengTsapi: “·Just direct a statement to TV producers to stop using our officials’ uniforms on their shows”
@ZukoMandlakazi: “This is why our state uniforms, be it government officials or prisoners, should not be used in television productions. Just to guard the integrity of our state and to limit public perception that comes with this”
@OleMothibi: “We don’t have time to verify criminal activities. Official @DCS_ZA uniform was used, hence the outrage. @SAPoliceService and @DCS_ZA uniforms should be off-limits”.
