South African prison authorities have launched an investigation into a video showing inmates at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility with contraband. The video, which surfaced on social media, prompted the Department of Correctional Services to take swift action. National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, ordered an urgent search of the unit where the inmates were being held.
The search led to the discovery of several unauthorized items, including five cell phones, three routers, one laptop, two bank cards, 11 chargers, three USB devices, 16 packets of illegal cigarettes, five balls of cannabis, 194 Mandrax tablets, two watches, and various sharp objects. The quantity and type of items seized highlight the gravity of the security breach, which the Department is determined to address.
The inmates found with contraband, as well as those featured in the video, will face internal disciplinary action in accordance with relevant policies. Their behavior will be investigated and assessed in accordance with their profiles, and potential consequences may include relocation to a different correctional facility, loss of privileges, and other relevant measures.
The Department of Correctional Services has assured that it will investigate how the electronic device used to record the video, as well as other unauthorized items, were smuggled into the correctional facility. The incident has raised concerns about the security and integrity of the facility.
The Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility, located in Pretoria, is one of the largest and most secure prisons in South Africa. The facility has a capacity to hold over 1,000 inmates, but it has faced challenges in the past related to overcrowding and security breaches.
The incident has sparked widespread concern about the state of South Africa's correctional facilities and the ease with which contraband can be smuggled in. The Department of Correctional Services has promised to take decisive action to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the Department has assured that it will take all necessary steps to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by correctional facilities in maintaining security and order.
Key points
- The South African Department of Correctional Services has launched an investigation into a video showing inmates with contraband at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility.
- The search led to the discovery of several unauthorized items, including cell phones, laptops, and drugs.
- The inmates found with contraband will face internal disciplinary action in accordance with relevant policies.
