Correctional Services intensifies contraband searches at Empangeni facility
Prison officials conduct an unannounced search to ensure the safety and security of inmates at the Empangeni Medium Correctional Centre.
Image: Supplied
Prison officials are under scrutiny for potentially compromising security. Simultaneously, inmates caught with contraband face reclassification and transfer to facilities with stricter security protocols.
This message came from the Department of Correctional Services National Commissioner, Makgothi Thobakgale, who led a targeted and unannounced search operation at Empangeni Medium Correctional Centre in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday night.
“We targeted Empangeni correctional facility because we received information of the fact that even if this facility is a medium classified facility, we still have offenders here who have contrabands that are not allowed in a correctional setting.
“We found 33 cell phones, we found 50 whoonga tablets, and we found 47 packages of dagga that are ready to be sold,” Thobakgale said.
National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale leads a search operation at Empangeni Medium Correctional Centre, highlighting the fight against contraband.
Image: Supplied
He said the department planned to search the facility all night, and when they finished, the facility would be clean.
“We have identified the inmates who bring in this contraband. We have identified those who distribute within the facility. We are going to reclassify them. We are going to take them to a facility that is capable of managing those who are high risk because now they are no longer going to be classified as medium. They are going to a higher category where we are going to attend to them closely,” Thobakgale said.
He said they have already been to four regions, and clarified that only the team he leads does not conduct searches, but they are also done at the regional level in management areas.
The commissioner said that last week, 866 searches were conducted, and on Monday, they will tally the searches they are conducting.
“Inasmuch as this is a challenge, cell phones come in, drugs come in, we will not stop the searches. We will not stop interrupting that flow, identifying those who are responsible, and charging them. Where there’s criminality, we report it to the police. We’ll continue because this is a fight against crime,” Thobakgale said.
He stated that engaging inmates respectfully yields necessary information. Despite this, a few names were already identified before the search. Those involved will be dealt with according to applicable legislation, and criminal matters will be referred to law enforcement.
He said that on Saturday, he visited four correctional facilities at night, where he found officials doing their jobs honestly. However, some contribute to security incidents like contraband, illegal associations in correctional facilities.
Contraband items were seized during a recent operation at the Empangeni correctional facility, including cell phones and illegal substances.
Image: Supplied
“Our message to those officials is that we are closely watching you. We will get to you. The unfortunate part is that the families get affected because some of them change uniform from brown to the uniform of inmates, and most of them get actually dismissed from service,” Thobakgale said.
He issued stark warning to those involved in illicit activities, saying they should either seek help or face consequences.
“To inmates, basically, they should stop doing things that are unnecessary. What is necessary for them is to focus on rehabilitation and corrections. If they continue doing this, they will spend more time in our facilities. Our facilities are overcrowded. The environment is unbearable for any human being,” he said.
Thobakgale said they want the numbers to reduce, and for the numbers to reduce, offenders need to focus on rehabilitation and correctional programmes and not focus on breaking the law when they are already inside a correctional system.
He added that the festive season presents a unique challenge, particularly in regions like KZN, as offenders divert their food rations, such as bread, sugar, and fruits, and illegally brew traditional beer.
A glimpse into the ongoing efforts by the Department of Correctional Services to combat contraband and enhance prison security.
Image: Supplied
He said this practice carries severe risks, including poisoning, which strains the healthcare resources of correctional facilities, but there is a loss of life.
Thobakgale revealed that authorities seized a stash of illicit goods at Empangeni correctional facility, disposing of traditional beer and confiscating vodka and other smuggled alcohol, as part of a crackdown on contraband.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za