Tshwane: An unannounced raid at the Odi Correctional Centre has led to the discovery of a myriad of contraband material, including cellphones, drugs, and WiFi routers.

According to South African Government News Agency, Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale spoke to the media following the late-night raid. “We are here to restore order. We are here to restore the security protocols that are supposed to prevail here. So far, we have found 30 cellphones, cellphone accessories, and three routers,” said Thobakgale.

The raid uncovered a range of illegal substances, including slopes loaded with nyaope, mandrax tablets, crystal meth, and dagga. Thobakgale noted that some offenders were found buying items from the kiosk and reselling them to other inmates, while others bartered these items for food. This exchange disrupts the offenders’ ability to attend rehabilitation programs, as it affects their access to adequate nutrition.

The Commissioner explained that the correctional centre was targeted following a tipoff. “The second reason is that it is a small centre that is in a township and most instances, those centres are hubs of the selling of illegal substances,” Thobakgale stated. He also mentioned that the raid aimed to identify offenders who might require reclassification from low and medium to high risk, based on the contraband found in their possession.

As a result of the operation, at least two offenders have been identified for relocation. Thobakgale also highlighted that disciplinary processes are underway for officials involved in the smuggling network. “There are officials that are going through disciplinary processes. Even here, there are two officials that have been suspended. That is the work that management has been doing, but we have identified that we need to come in and strengthen their hand in dealing with contraband and in ensuring that the centre is free from illegal substances and objects,” he explained.