Following representations by Amnesty International concerning the treatment of the recently convicted 'black consciousness' prisoners who have been sent to Robben Island, it was announced by the SA Prisons Dept that an incident had occurred and the police are to conduct an investigation.
Since their arrival on the island the prisoners have apparently been very roughly treated. On one occasion they were at work with others in the prison's lime quarry and guard dogs were set on them, with the result that they were badly bitten. In other incidents the prisoners have been assaulted by warders and according to information received by Amnesty are in fear of their lives.
Minister of Justice Mr. Kruger denied that anyone had been bitten. He outlined the Prison Dept's version of events on 25 January when a warrant officer visited a work team which was not performing its duties. He "instructed staff members in charge to use dogs to speed up the work" but the dogs were not turned loose, as alleged.
