GQEBERHA - Dagga, Mandrax tablets, cash, sharp objects, and other unusual items have been unearthed during an early morning raid at St Albans Correctional Centre in Gqeberha
Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale expressed concern that some officials are sabotaging security measures at prisons nationwide.
Incoming wardens were stopped and searched at the gate before entering the facility.
Thobakgale says the surprise raid at St Albans Correctional Centre targets cells, causing insecurity.
"We always work on the information that we have, and we act immediately, that's why we are here at St Albans. That's why we are focusing on the kitchen," said Thobakgale.
"We also did a search of our own members as they were coming in. We also checked around at the dumping sites, that's where the contraband is brought into the correctional facility."
Thobakgale described St Albans as one of the country’s most notorious prisons.
"St Albans is one of those facilities we have identified as a risk area. So, the whole of the correctional system so it's part of our priorities, but we know that things go wrong from the kitchen because the offenders who work in the kitchen have got a free movement between the units.
"They've got an opportunity to interact with all othe inmates.
During the raid in Medium B, an inmate collapsed and required medical attention.
Thobakgale is worried officials are sabotaging the newly-installed body scanners, a major concern.
- eNCA's Nceba Ntlanganiso reports.