Inmates found with contraband in Mangaung prison

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Inmates were found with contraband during a surprise raid by the Correctional Services officials at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, according to SABC News. The correctional facility houses close to 3 000 inmates and is famous for being the former ‘home’ of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester.

Speaking to eNCA, the Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, said that this was not the first time they had conducted raids in their correctional facilities.

“Today, we decided to focus on Mangaung. We have been managing Mangaung under temporary management for almost two years now,” he said.

He added that they are preparing for a takeover in June 2026.

THE RAID

Central News reported that the inmates were told to leave their cells, kneel down, and put their hands on the wall while the officials searched their cells. The prison officials inspected each cell’s mattresses, toilet rims, and light fixtures for any hidden prohibited items. The raid aimed to uncover contraband and other illegal items within the facility. Thobakgale said that inmates found with contraband would face legal charges.

CONTRABAND FOUND

Some of the contraband uncovered during the raid included dagga, cigarettes, tobacco, money and electronics such as cellphones, USB cables, and chargers. Thobakgale mentioned that their centre is cashless, so inmates having cash with them is concerning.

“The items that we found today reflect that there are security issues because we’re not supposed to find these items in a correctional setting, but it’s in the nature of correctional facilities throughout the world that there would be those blind spots,” he expressed.

He further stated that they would investigate the causes behind these criminal activities and improve their security systems.

OPERATION VALA

The raid coincided with the newly launched Operation Vala by the Department of Correctional Services on November 28, 2024, at the Grootvlei Correctional Facility in the Free State. The security campaign aims to tighten security and prohibit assaults within correctional facilities. Due to the high number of movements and visits to inmates during the festive season, Operation Vala will ensure that there are no security breaches and that everything runs smoothly across all correctional services in the country.

Thobakgale believes the campaign has helped keep inmates occupied during the festive season. He said he is satisfied with how they have taken the initiative to clean up correctional facilities.

The Citizen reported that the MCC, run by G4S, has faced scrutiny for its poor security following the escape of Thabo Bester. In 2022, Facebook rapist Thabo Bester escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Centre by faking his death in a cell fire, allegedly with the help of prison officials and celebrity doctor Nandipha Magudamana. The couple were caught and arrested in Arusha, Tanzania, in April 2023 and are awaiting trial.

Do you think that the correctional service officials are also involved in providing inmates with contraband?

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