Correctional Services intensifies contraband searches at Empangeni facility:

timeslive.co.za/opinion/2026-09-21-editorial-firm-action-on-illegal-cellphones-in-prisons-is-long-overdue/

Credibility C+

Sep 21

OpinionEDITORIAL | Firm action on illegal cellphones in prisons is long overdue: Thousands of phones seized but technology solutions remain stalled

dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-09-17-where-criminals-rule-the-roost-correctional-services-boss-outlines-sa-prisons-parlous-state/

Daily Maverick

Sep 18

Correctional Services boss outlines SA jails’ parlous state: Correctional Services head Makgothi Thobakgale has described the state of South Africa’s overcrowded ...

enca.com/news/correctional-services-boss-believes-escapee-was-aided

eNCA Sep 10

Correctional Services boss believes escapee was aided: Edward Khomotso Madiba, who escaped from Rooigrond prison in the North West where he was serving a 20-year ...

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Aug 20

‘Breeding grounds for gangs’: Mkhwanazi warns SA prisons are making criminals worse

Jul 25

Commissioner slams collusion by officials as Durban prison raid uncovers drugs and weapons

news24.com/southafrica/news/commissioner-slams-collusion-by-officials-as-durban-prison-raid-uncovers-drugs-and-weapons-20260725-0550

dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-07-01-beyond-the-bars-of-privatisation-lessons-from-mangaung-and-kutama-sinthumule-prisons/

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Jul 02

OpinionReclaiming prisons — SA cannot outsource security: Following severe human rights abuses and high-profile escapes, South Africa is terminating private prison ...

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St Albans prison chicken project ‘used to smuggle drugs: St Albans prison’s chicken project in Gqeberha has been used as a conduit for smuggling drugs into the ...

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enca.com/news-top-stories-videos/years-investigation-led-nxele-arrest-says-thobakgale

eNCA Jun 24

Years of investigation led to Nxele arrest, says Thobakgale: The arrest of KwaZulu-Natal prisons head Mnikelwa Nxele follows years of intense investigations ...

iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-06-03-prison-bosses-promise-no-repeat-of-thabo-bester-escape-fiasco-in-takeover-of-mangaung-prison-operations/

Jun 03

Prison bosses promise 'no repeat of Thabo Bester' escape fiasco in takeover of Mangaung prison operations

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iol.co.za/news/crime-and-courts/2026-04-05-pics-drugs-cellphones-and-sharp-objects-found-in-surprise-raid-at-pollsmoor-prison/

Apr 05

PICS | Drugs, cellphones and sharp objects found in surprise raid at Pollsmoor prison

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Feb 02

Thousands of cellphones and R100k cash seized in prison raids during festive season

25 0

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Feb 02

DCS takes action against prison officials involved in contraband smuggling: The Department of Correctional Services has initiated disciplinary action against ...

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C+

Jan 05

Cash, cellphone and documents found in St Albans prison raid: Correctional services blames officials at the remand centre for maladministration

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Nov 17 25

Here’s how Correctional Services is cracking down on prison cellphone smuggling: Minister Pieter Groenewald outlines intensified searches, staff vetting and ...

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Oct 28 25

Packed to the brim: SA jails burst with inmates and corruption claims: Parliament’s correctional services committee has warned that overcrowding, contraband ...

timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2025-07-08-crystal-meth-and-cellphones-found-in-raid-at-kgosi-mampuru-prison/

C+

Jul 09 25

Crystal meth and cellphones found in raid at Kgosi Mampuru Prison: Officials discovered crystal meth and cellphones at Kgosi Mampuru prison in Pretoria on ...

ewn.co.za/2025/07/09/watch-we-expect-the-cells-to-be-inspected-everyday-national-commissioner-makgothi-thobakgale

84 3

EWN Jul 09 25

[WATCH] 'We expect the cells to be inspected everyday' - National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale

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Jul 07 25

Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre crackdown as scamming inmates busted with phones