GQEBERHA - Correctional Services officials have pounced on inmates and staff at St Albans Prison in Gqeberha in a surprise raid on Thursday.
Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale led the early morning raid. It is a second raid at the maximum-security facility this year.
According to officials, the raid was specifically designed to uncover hidden contraband and address security vulnerabilities within the prison.
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The operation began at the prison gate where wardens who were starting their morning shift were stopped and searched.
It will now move inside the prison.
Thobakgale previously said prison wardens and other officials also contribute to the smuggling of contraband into prisons.
Speaking to eNCA, Thobakgale said St Albans has been identified as a risk area and forms part of Correctional Services’ priority facilities.
He said Thursday’s raid focused mainly in the kitchen area and dumpsites around the facility as that was often used to smuggle and conceal contraband.
“We know things go wrong from the kitchen because offenders who work in the kitchen have free movement between the units. They also have an opportunity to interact with all inmates," he added.