Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Department of Correctional Services has revealed that more than 8,000 cellphones were confiscated at correctional centres across the country during the festive season.
During a media briefing held in Pretoria on Monday, the department outlined the results of its festive season operations.
Officials conducted more than 5,000 search operations at prisons nationwide, recovering various forms of contraband ranging from electronic devices to marijuana and cash.
Correctional Services Commissioner Samuel Thobakgale reported that more than R100,000 was confiscated from inmates during the period.
“Gauteng (R37,193) and the Eastern Cape (R28,379) recorded the highest cash recoveries,” Thobakgale stated. “Small quantities of foreign currency were seized, along with R400 in counterfeit South African notes in the Free State/Northern Cape region.”
In addition to illicit trade items, the Commissioner noted that inmates were found in possession of dangerous weapons, posing a significant threat to facility safety.
“A sum of 3,144 sharpened objects were removed from facilities,” said Thobakgale. “The Eastern Cape and Free State/Northern Cape regions recorded the highest volumes of seized sharpened objects, indicating elevated security risks in these regions.”
Of the 8,000 cellphones seized during the raids, Gauteng emerged as the primary hotspot for smuggled devices. The department continues to investigate the channels used to facilitate the entry of these prohibited items into high-security zones.
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