Weapons, drugs abundant in jails

Warders are targeted, corrupted, says Institute for Security Studies.

- Thando Nondywana

The scale of contraband in South African prisons needs the government to have both political will and a solid strategy to curb criminal activities within and beyond prison walls, experts say.

In the past year alone, nearly 1000kg of drugs have been confiscated from South African correctional centres. This is in addition to more than 41000 cellular devices and more than 11000 weapons, Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald revealed.

The Institute for Security Studies' William Els said gang operations within prisons were organised and they often compromised prison warders to facilitate their operations.

"With the substantial amounts of money involved, wardens are targeted, corrupted and become enablers of illegal activities.

"Thabo Bester reportedly spent weekends outside prison, highlighting systemic corruption within correctional services. This should have been a turning point for reform," he added.