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| Help for South Africa's Prisoner A | Help for South Africa's Prisoner A |
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| Soon after South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was released on bail to await his murder trial, Ronnie Fakude – a paraplegic awaiting trial in prison – was pleading for medical attention. In such acute pain he thought he was dying, Fakude begged for help to secure Islamic burial rights. | Soon after South African Paralympian Oscar Pistorius was released on bail to await his murder trial, Ronnie Fakude – a paraplegic awaiting trial in prison – was pleading for medical attention. In such acute pain he thought he was dying, Fakude begged for help to secure Islamic burial rights. |
| The 50-year-old Fakude, who is paralysed from the waist down, has spent the past 15 months in Bloemfontein's Grootvlei prison facing fraud charges. He shares a cell designed for 32 with 87 other men; has to wear nappies brought in by his family; and is forced to drag himself around on crutches without the use of a wheelchair. | The 50-year-old Fakude, who is paralysed from the waist down, has spent the past 15 months in Bloemfontein's Grootvlei prison facing fraud charges. He shares a cell designed for 32 with 87 other men; has to wear nappies brought in by his family; and is forced to drag himself around on crutches without the use of a wheelchair. |
| Ronnie Fakude is Prisoner A, the man whose plight was highlighted by the Wits Justice Project in a story in the Guardian two weeks ago. Fakude initially called himself Prisoner A because he feared victimisation by prison officials. He subsequently became so ill that he no longer cared. But since the story appeared, offers of assistance have been received from around the globe. | Ronnie Fakude is Prisoner A, the man whose plight was highlighted by the Wits Justice Project in a story in the Guardian two weeks ago. Fakude initially called himself Prisoner A because he feared victimisation by prison officials. He subsequently became so ill that he no longer cared. But since the story appeared, offers of assistance have been received from around the globe. |
| Following the intervention of the Wits Justice Project and senior Department of Correctional Services official Britta Rotmann, Fakude was moved to Grootvlei's "hospital" section and put on a drip. | Following the intervention of the Wits Justice Project and senior Department of Correctional Services official Britta Rotmann, Fakude was moved to Grootvlei's "hospital" section and put on a drip. |
| After members of South Africa's National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities read his story, Fakude's life took a turn for the better. "We got a private doctor to see him last Sunday to ascertain the severity of his medical condition and had medicine delivered to him," said Therina Wentzel, national director of the council – an NGO funded mostly by public donations. | After members of South Africa's National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities read his story, Fakude's life took a turn for the better. "We got a private doctor to see him last Sunday to ascertain the severity of his medical condition and had medicine delivered to him," said Therina Wentzel, national director of the council – an NGO funded mostly by public donations. |
| On Tuesday Hendrien de Klerk of the Free State Association for Physical Disabilities donated a wheelchair and offered Fakude accommodation in a specially-equipped facility, should he be released on bail. | On Tuesday Hendrien de Klerk of the Free State Association for Physical Disabilities donated a wheelchair and offered Fakude accommodation in a specially-equipped facility, should he be released on bail. |
| Pistorius's case highlighted the plight of other South Africans with disabilities behind bars. Like Pistorius, Fakude remains innocent until proven guilty. Unlike Pistorius, who was granted R1m bail, Fakude did not apply because he believed he could not afford it. His co-accused were granted bail of R15 000, which was beyond his means. | Pistorius's case highlighted the plight of other South Africans with disabilities behind bars. Like Pistorius, Fakude remains innocent until proven guilty. Unlike Pistorius, who was granted R1m bail, Fakude did not apply because he believed he could not afford it. His co-accused were granted bail of R15 000, which was beyond his means. |
| Fakude said he was advised by the investigating officer and prosecutor not to apply for bail until the investigation was complete. A date, 18 March, has finally been set for his hearing. | Fakude said he was advised by the investigating officer and prosecutor not to apply for bail until the investigation was complete. A date, 18 March, has finally been set for his hearing. |
| "Living here is tough," Fakude said. In his over-crowded cell, 12 people sleep in two bunks pushed together, six on the top and six on the bottom. "I have my own bed on the bottom which is a privilege. Luckily, I don't have to share because of my medical status. | "Living here is tough," Fakude said. In his over-crowded cell, 12 people sleep in two bunks pushed together, six on the top and six on the bottom. "I have my own bed on the bottom which is a privilege. Luckily, I don't have to share because of my medical status. |
| "I have no bowel or bladder control which is why I wear nappies. I got TB while I was in Joburg prison, prior to moving here. This means I have a compromised lung and am prone to infections. | "I have no bowel or bladder control which is why I wear nappies. I got TB while I was in Joburg prison, prior to moving here. This means I have a compromised lung and am prone to infections. |
| "Paraplegics need special diets. I have indigestion because of the bad prison diet. I also have ulcers which cause me terrible pain and make me shit blood. I have one kidney and my intestines are sutured because of injuries from my hijacking. I have pains and pins and needles throughout my body because I can't exercise or get physiotherapy." | "Paraplegics need special diets. I have indigestion because of the bad prison diet. I also have ulcers which cause me terrible pain and make me shit blood. I have one kidney and my intestines are sutured because of injuries from my hijacking. I have pains and pins and needles throughout my body because I can't exercise or get physiotherapy." |
| Fakude is likely to stay in Grootvlei's "hospital" until the conclusion of his trial. But whether this is a better alternative to the cell is a moot point. "It's just a normal cell with single beds instead of bunks," Fakude said. "It is clean, has a tiled floor and isn't as crowded as a cell. That's the only difference. Actually, my cell bed is better than a hospital bed." | Fakude is likely to stay in Grootvlei's "hospital" until the conclusion of his trial. But whether this is a better alternative to the cell is a moot point. "It's just a normal cell with single beds instead of bunks," Fakude said. "It is clean, has a tiled floor and isn't as crowded as a cell. That's the only difference. Actually, my cell bed is better than a hospital bed." |
| Fakude's wife, Precious, says that even if the "hospital" is less crowded than a conventional cell, there is the added danger of exposure to infection — which is a problem for a person with a compromised immune system like her husband. A doctor only visits the prison once a week. | Fakude's wife, Precious, says that even if the "hospital" is less crowded than a conventional cell, there is the added danger of exposure to infection — which is a problem for a person with a compromised immune system like her husband. A doctor only visits the prison once a week. |
| Another Grootvlei inmate has complained of rats in the "hospital" at night. "At least the cells are too overcrowded and noisy for rats," he said. | Another Grootvlei inmate has complained of rats in the "hospital" at night. "At least the cells are too overcrowded and noisy for rats," he said. |
| The Department of Correctional Services has guidelines governing the treatment of prisoners with disability. Departmental spokesman Koos Gerber said: "There are more than 150 000 inmates in correctional facilities, many with some degree of disability - and there are many forms of disability. Individual needs are evaluated and attended to in the centres where the inmates are accommodated. Our main concern is that their needs are taken care of. Any allegations that DCS officials are not applying our policies will be investigated and there will be consequences." | The Department of Correctional Services has guidelines governing the treatment of prisoners with disability. Departmental spokesman Koos Gerber said: "There are more than 150 000 inmates in correctional facilities, many with some degree of disability - and there are many forms of disability. Individual needs are evaluated and attended to in the centres where the inmates are accommodated. Our main concern is that their needs are taken care of. Any allegations that DCS officials are not applying our policies will be investigated and there will be consequences." |
| • A special fund has been set up for Ronnie Fakude, under the auspices of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities. Please visit the Wits Justice Project for details should you wish to assist him or others in a similar situation. | • A special fund has been set up for Ronnie Fakude, under the auspices of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities. Please visit the Wits Justice Project for details should you wish to assist him or others in a similar situation. |
| Carolyn Raphaely is a member of the Wits Justice Project, which investigates miscarriages of justice and is particularly focused on the problems of remand detention. The project is located in the Department of Journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand | Carolyn Raphaely is a member of the Wits Justice Project, which investigates miscarriages of justice and is particularly focused on the problems of remand detention. The project is located in the Department of Journalism at the University of the Witwatersrand |
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