Correctional Services boss alarmed by sophisticated cellphone hideout spots in prison

South African prisons have become hotspots for organised criminal syndicates who smuggle cell phones and other gadgets that are used to scam people and demand ransoms from the families of kidnapped victims.

This comes as the National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, led a specialised team in a targeted operation that uncovered an undisclosed number of cell phones and other gadgets, allegedly being used by inmates to commit crimes from behind bars at the Bavianspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria.

It is reported that a group of inmates at the facility, who were found with mobile phones, were actively scamming members of the public, resulting in the confiscation of several mobile phones and other contraband items.

Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo said investigations have revealed that inmates have created sophisticated hideout spots within their cells to conceal these devices.

“What is most alarming is that these illicit activities were carried out in broad daylight, raising serious concerns about lapses in vigilance and continuous monitoring by officials. 

“This glaring security breach has prompted the National Commissioner to demand a full report from the centre’s management, explaining how such activities could have occurred under their watch,” said Nxumalo on Sunday.

The DCS raid comes as anti-crime activist, Yusuf Abramjee's TV show Crime Watch had also uncovered the truth of some of these criminal syndicates.

Speaking after the airing of the latest prison exposé on Monday, Abramjee has also revealed that he had handed some of the evidence to the authorities.

"Last week, we presented our evidence to correctional services ahead of our exposé. We shared all the information, and we were promised that Minister Pieter Groenewald and the DCS commissioner would take action, which led to the raid on Friday.

"A whistleblower we spoke to came out with the evidence which tells us that the situation is really bad. These criminals are running amok behind bars. It appears that it has become easy for prisoners to get contraband smuggled into their cells should be a great cause for concern," Abramjee stated.

Abramjee said prisoners enlist the help of prison officials, who facilitate or overlook the smuggling of gadgets and other items inside prisons.

"This cannot happen without the involvement of wardens. Wardens are involved, and the department has also confirmed that some wardens are under investigation. In my view, there are also corrupt police officials who are working with people behind bars," he added.

Nxumalo stated that as part of immediate corrective action, all identified inmates involved in the scams have been transferred to the maximum-security unit (C-Max) at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre while forensic analysis continues on the recovered gadgets.

"Forensic analysis will be conducted on the confiscated mobile phones to trace the extent of the scam and assist in any further legal processes. Thobakgale has directed Baviaanspoort Management to urgently develop and submit a comprehensive plan to address operational weaknesses and prevent the smuggling of illegal items into the facility," DCS added. 

Cape Times