Inmates Found With Contraband At Mangaung Prison To Be Charged

Inmates found with contraband during an unannounced raid at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein will face criminal charges, according to Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale. The raid, part of an ongoing effort to root out illegal items in the facility, uncovered a range of contraband, including cash, dagga, USB cables, cellphones, chargers, cigarettes, and tobacco.

Thobakgale emphasized that the centre operates a "cashless" system, where inmates are not permitted to have money. Any cash or items found during the raid violate the strict regulations in place. He also highlighted the presence of cellphones and drugs, which are security concerns for the correctional facility. Despite the relatively small amount of dagga found, Thobakgale noted that such items should not be present at all in a correctional environment.

The commissioner acknowledged that while correctional facilities globally experience similar challenges with contraband smuggling, the Department of Correctional Services is committed to investigating the root causes of the security lapses and improving the security systems to prevent such incidents in the future. Offenders found with contraband will be disciplined, and further measures will be implemented to enhance security within the facility.