Bornface Banks, a Zimbabwean detainee incarcerated in a South African prison for fraud, has reversed his claim of experiencing a soft life behind bars after igniting widespread outrage and debate among online users.
He found himself in the spotlight amidst a storm of controversy while serving time in a South African prison for alleged kidnapping.
The incident that thrust him into the public eye began innocuously enough — a video, surreptitiously recorded on a smuggled cellphone, circulated rapidly across social media platforms.
In it, Bornface appeared relaxed and jovial, clad in the distinctive yellow prison uniform, surrounded by fellow inmates in what seemed like a well-furnished cell.
The footage revealed a scene that sparked outrage and debate in equal measure. Bornface, with a grin that betrayed his predicament, addressed the camera directly, his words laced with a mix of defiance and amusement. “Hello haters,” he proclaimed, his voice echoing with a hint of mockery, “you put us in prison and think that we are suffering? No, my brother, we are doing extremely fine.”
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He went on to detail the unexpected comforts of prison life that surprised many viewers. “Look at how happy we are,” he chuckled, gesturing around the cell. “This morning we had breakfast, and in the afternoon we had lunch. We are about to have dinner.” His laughter was infectious, shared by the inmates beside him, creating an atmosphere that seemed more akin to a communal gathering than a correctional facility.
Bornface’s narrative continued, punctuated by moments of incredulity and laughter from his audience of fellow prisoners. “We are not suffering at all,” he declared proudly, listing the perks that challenged conventional notions of prison life. “Free toiletries, no rent, no electricity bills,” he enumerated, each benefit met with nods of agreement and more laughter from the group.
The video quickly caught the attention of the Department of Correctional Services, whose spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, swiftly condemned the incident. In a public statement, Nxumalo expressed the department’s dismay, emphasizing that mobile phones are contraband in correctional centers, and their possession carries severe penalties. “DCS is deeply incensed by this behavior,” Nxumalo declared, promising “strong action and consequences.”
The story of Bornface Banks became a focal point of national debate. Some condemned his flaunting of prison privileges as an insult to justice and a mockery of the penal system’s intended severity.
In the end, Bornface has recanted his statements.
Watch video below
