Officer in sex video dismissed

The Department of Correctional Services has fired an officer who features in a scandalous sex video.

Footage of the correctional officer having sex with a policewoman at a Krugersdorp prison hospital was published by the Sowetan newspaper on August 15. The pictures sparked a national outcry and caused embarrassment to both the police and the Department of Correctional Services.

The pair, who were both in uniform, were on duty and supposed to be guarding a prisoner at the hospital.

The two officers are both married.

The correctional officer, who attempted to resign after the scandal broke, admitted he had filmed the sexual encounter.

Confirming the dismissal yesterday, department spokesman Promise Khumalo said the correctional officer, who was based at Krugersdorp Correctional Centre, had been charged with bringing the department into disrepute by contravening its code of conduct and with breaching internal security measures.

The officer was on sick leave and the hearing that was originally scheduled for August 4, and then for August 12, was postponed to yesterday to allow him to attend proceedings.

''He did not turn up for the hearing but a further sick note has been handed to the [chairman] of the disciplinary hearing. The [chairman], however, allowed the hearing to continue in his absence,'' Khumalo said.

National commissioner of correctional services Tom Moyane yesterday reiterated that no breach of security directives or misconduct would be tolerated and urged all officials ''to be exemplary in the manner in which they conduct themselves and discharge their duties''.

Reports last week said the policewoman implicated in the video had been suspended.