More than 100 police officers, accompanied by officials from the Department of Correctional Services, raided the Thohoyandou Correctional Services facility last Friday night, confiscating more than 30 cell phones, dagga hidden under torn mattresses, and other electronic contraband.
Prisoners were caught off guard when the officers arrived unannounced shortly before 20:00 and immediately began searching the cells. With no warning, inmates had no opportunity to hide their illegal items elsewhere.
The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, was present during the operation. He said the raid followed crucial intelligence suggesting that criminal activities, including the coordination of crimes, were being conducted from inside the prison using cell phones.
The search began in the Remand Section, where 680 prisoners are held. There, officers confiscated 21 cell phones and various sharpened objects.
Thobakgale said the facility housed more than 2,600 inmates and had been under surveillance for some time because of concerns about ongoing criminal activity.
When asked how the prohibited items made their way into the cells, Thobakgale explained that corrupt Correctional Services employees or visitors often smuggled them in. In some cases, cell phones and other contraband are handed to inmates by friends or relatives during court appearances. "Inmates often smuggle contraband into their cells after attending court proceedings," he said.
Thobakgale warned that similar raids would be carried out at correctional centres across the country as part of ongoing efforts to enhance security. He said all confiscated cell phones would be thoroughly analysed to extract information that could assist in criminal investigations. "If we find sensitive information relating to planned criminal activities, we will open cases against the inmates involved," he said.
Limpopo Mirror reported last year that inmates had sent threatening messages to journalists from within the prison. A prison warder, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that many prisoners have access to cell phones and other electronic devices. She said these were often smuggled in by corrupt officials. "Some are brought in by visitors hidden inside food, while others are thrown over the fence by friends during the night. Corrupt warders then collect them in the morning," she explained.
Meanwhile, the national spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, Mr Singabakho Nxumalo, reiterated that removing contraband remains a top priority. "Inmates found in possession of cell phones are charged in terms of Section 23(1) of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998. Disciplinary action may include the withdrawal of privileges, reclassification, or other punitive measures," he said.