Just six prisoners writing matric

ONLY six prisoners out of 5000 at Port Elizabeth's St Albans Prison will be sitting for their matric exams starting on October 27.

This was revealed yesterday during a visit by Deputy Correctional Services Minister Thabang Makwetla, who said: "I am inspired to see these six inmates, especially at their age. I was expecting to see the youngsters but I am impressed with these old men who will be sitting for their matric exams."

"[But] it is difficult to understand how there are only six inmates who are doing their matric. If more prisoners were doing something positive, there would be fewer stabbings and killings in jails."

He encouraged the prisoners to continue their education after matric, as only seven were studying through the University of South Africa (Unisa).

Zongezile Ntebe, 44, of Kwazakhele, jailed 12 years ago for murder, said of Makwetla's visit: "[It] shows that there are people who still care about us." - Yoliswa Sobuwa