By Rosina Shiko
Prison officials have seized 194 Mandrax tablets, cellphones, routers and hacksaw blades during a search at Pretoria’s Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility following a viral video of inmates dancing.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) said on Friday that National Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale had ordered an urgent search of the unit housing offenders identified in the footage, which showed inmates dancing and playing music inside the prison.
The search uncovered five cellphones, three routers, a laptop, two bank cards, 11 chargers, three USB devices, 16 packets of illicit cigarettes, five balls of dagga, 194 Mandrax tablets, two hacksaw blades and various sharp objects.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed that the department had acted immediately after the footage circulated on social media.
“The National Commissioner immediately instructed that a search operation be conducted and this resulted in the confiscation of unauthorised items,” Nxumalo said.
“These include mobile phones, routers, bank cards and other items. The extent and nature of these items underscore the seriousness of the security breaches that the department is determined to address.”
The video has also attracted attention after several media outlets identified disbarred advocate Malesela Teffo allegedly among those appearing in the footage. DCS has not publicly named the offenders.
Nxumalo said Thobakgale had reiterated that correctional facilities were not places where offenders could disregard established rules and security protocols without consequences.
“Maintaining discipline across all correctional facilities remains cardinal,” Nxumalo said.
“No individual, whether an offender or an official, will be allowed to undermine the integrity of the correctional system.”
DCS said that offenders found in possession of contraband, as well as those identified in the video, would face internal disciplinary proceedings in accordance with applicable regulations.
Their conduct will also be considered when their correctional profiles are assessed, potentially affecting their placement, privileges and other considerations, subject to the required procedures.
The department has also launched an investigation into how the device used to record the video and other prohibited items entered the facility.
The investigation will examine possible involvement or negligence by correctional officials, with disciplinary or other appropriate action to follow where wrongdoing is established.
“The Department will leave no stone unturned in establishing the full circumstances surrounding this incident,” DCS said in its statement.
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