More prison raids coming, warns Correctional Services Minister

Clarence Ford is joined by Dr Pieter Groenewald, Minister of Correctional Services.

Listen below

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A raid operation by the Department of Correctional Services and the South African Police Service at Johannesburg (Sun City) prison last week turned up a significant haul of contraband.

Police confiscated various illegal items including drugs, money, scissors and cellphones.

It's believed they even unearthed a Playstation4 gaming console.

Newly-appointed Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald says he means business and that the raid was not a once-off.

"There will be more raids coming...I'm very serious when it comes to discipline."

 Dr. Pieter Groenewald, Minister of Correctional Services

The raid follows Groenewald's interview on CapeTalk earlier this month, during which an inmate called into the station to tell the minister that items like cellphones were commonplace in prisons.

"A lot of us guys here, we've got phones...Even the officials would tell you (if you say you don't have a phone), they say go to your section, someone will give you a phone", he said.

The man was responding to Groenewald's comment regarding a recent TikTok video showing  prisoners celebrating prison life.

 'I want to know, how did it happen that a prisoner had a cellphone with him?' Groenewald had asked.

Groenewald says that contraband items are often brought in by visitors to the prison, but accepts that he must also point the finger at his own wardens.

"The corruption also involves our employees...we must get rid of those bad apples."

 Dr. Pieter Groenewald, Minister of Correctional Services

"Be assured that we will tighten up the security in our entrances."

 Dr. Pieter Groenewald, Minister of Correctional Services

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