Inmates on hunger strike over HIV medication

A number of inmates at Waterval Prison in Newcastle in northern KwaZulu-Natal have embarked on an indefinite hunger strike for not getting proper and timely medication for HIV/AIDS related illnesses.

The prisoners - many of whom were transferred to Waterfall from Durban's Westville Prison - are complaining about the delay of HIV medication. Kenny Bhoodu, the paralegal officer of the South African Prisoners’ Organisation for Human Rights (Sapohr), says most of the inmates are getting treatment through the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC). Despite repeated attempts, the department of correctional services was not available for comment.

Bhoodu says they have received complaints from the inmates that on their arrival at Waterval, they were not given the same treatment that they were getting at Durban Westville. They were also told that there is no TAC branch in Waterval.