Officials abetting prison contraventions a major concern: Thobakgale

[FILE IMAGE]: An empty prison cell.

The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, says officials abetting contraventions in prisons are a main concern.

Thobakgale shared his sentiments during an unannounced search operation at the Grootvlei Correctional Services Centre in Bloemfontein.

This is part of intensified search operations in an effort to achieve contravention-free centres.

Officials have found crystal meth, dagga, cellphones, money, sharp objects and other illegal items in prison cells.

Thobakgale says their main challenge is the involvement of officials in illegal dealings.

“On a weekly basis, there have been searches done here, and probably the main challenge is that we take the cell phones out. Some of our officials bring the cellphones in. And in this financial year, in 2025/2026, here six, which is what we found, especially the ones that work night, trying to bring in some focus into the facility and all the six were disciplined. Some of them actually were dismissed.”

WATCH | At least 12 cellphones, money and dagga were among the items seized during a raid at Grootvlei Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein. National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale says during the 2025/26 financial year six officials have either been dismissed or face… pic.twitter.com/q9pNAzBty4

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 23, 2025