A former cop who is serving a life sentence for murder and kidnapping, has failed in his bid to stop his transfer from Johannesburg Prison (also known as Sun City Prison) to Mangaung Prison in Bloemfontein.
Rabelani Mankhili had sought an interdict against his transfer, arguing that it would affect his visitation times with family and would impact his studying.
Mankhili was arrested for murder and kidnapping on January 29, 2018, and was convicted on November 4, 2021.
The judgment read: “He, accordingly, remonstrated against the pending transfer and advanced reasons that he was a student at Unisa Florida campus, Roodepoort, and if transferred, it would be difficult to be furnished with study material.
“He further raised the issues that his domicile of origin was Limpopo, and his family will not be able to visit him in Free State if transferred, and he was detained in a single cell due to the fact that he is a former police officer, and he was not certain about the arrangements made for him at Mangaung for his security.”
Acting Judge M Maubane said: “(Mankhili) was given notice of transfer and reasons thereof. He was aware of the pending transfer two days before transfer. The notice of transfer was in writing, and he acknowledged receipt. I further took note of the provisions of Section 43(1), Regulation 25(a) framed under the Correctional Services Act and the Constitution of the Republic and having done that, and without any contradictions, Mankhili was informed of the pending transfer in writing and the reasons thereof. He had ample time to make representation against the transfer, but he did not do so.”
Cape Times