The Drakenstein Correctional Services is in the hot seat once again after allegations surfaced against Manki Ndarana, an employee of the Department of Correctional Services, who allegedly physically assaulted a minor.
Ndarana, the employee relations manager at the Department of Correctional Services within Stellenbosch and Somerset West’s supervision office, resides on Drakenstein Prison’s grounds.
According to an anonymous source, Ndarana slapped a 14-year-old who also lives within the prison precincts across the face on 11 November 2023 after “chasing him in his vehicle.”
The incident took place after the minor had a disagreement with Ndarana’s son on the prison grounds.
According to another anonymous source the alleged victim was playing on a field with other children when Ndarana’s son verbally abused him.
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The minor then asked Ndarana’s son to stop before “lightly” slapping him.
Afterwards he “ran to his dad [Ndarana]” to tell him what happened, and Ndarana climbed in his vehicle and chased the alleged victim down.
The minor ran into the yard of a nearby house where Ndarana stopped and “accused the boy of allegedly bullying his son,” one of the sources said.
“Ndarana then assaulted the boy in the presence of the house’s resident by slapping him across the face, and the resident felt the need to stop him from assaulting the boy further.”
According to the second source the prison official’s son had antagonised the alleged victim by swearing at him, using expletives that are well-known locally and which objectify certain body parts of one’s mother.
The same source said Ndarana told the 14-year-old’s family in his presence that he would “beat” him again before adding, “julle coloured laaities gaan so aan.”
The source added that both Ndarana and his son are known to show aggressive, bullying behaviour.
After the incident the minor showed some bruising on his face, but it disappeared over the next few days.
The incident was reported both internally and at Paarl Police Station.
According to email communication on 3 January with Capt. Louise du Plessis, spokesperson for Paarl Police Station, a case was opened against Ndarana on 11 November and referred to court on 25 January.
Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesperson for the National Department of Correctional Services, said in an email to Paarl Post: “The matter was reported by the parties criminally, and space should be allowed to the responsible entity to dispose of the matter.
“There are guidelines for officials using accommodation owned by the state, and caretakers are mandated to act when there are transgressions.”
Paarl Post could not reach Eric Ntabazalila, Western Cape spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), about the date and outcome of the court appearance. However, it was understood the case had been postponed to a later date.
One of the anonymous sources said: “The assault of a minor is a serious violation of the Child Justice Act, and at this stage there is no indication any internal disciplinary action has been considered at all.”
According to the source a plaintiff had yet to be appointed for the internal hearing.
