Prison officials seize over 8 000 cellphones
Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald has revealed Operation Vala 2025/26 resulted in the seizure of more than 8 000 illegal cellphones and thousands of weapons across correctional facilities, exposing persistent security gaps linked to budget and staffing shortages.
Groenewald disclosed the figures in a written parliamentary reply to questions from EFF MP, Nontando Nolutshungu, who requested details on contraband seizures, security breaches, and risk assessments at facilities, including Polsmoor and Oudtshoorn.
According to The Independent on Saturday, he said in the Western Cape, authorities seized 1 309 items of contraband, including 1 010 cellphones, 299 sharpened objects or weapons, as well as significant quantities of drugs such as cannabis, tik, mandrax and cocaine.
Cash amounting to R5,424.41 was also confiscated during the operation.
Nationally, Gauteng recorded the highest number of cellphones and cash confiscated, while KZN recorded the most drug seizures. The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of sharpened objects recovered.
Gauteng recorded the highest number of cell phones at 2 321, along with 465 sharpened objects and drug seizures, including 6 749.86g of dagga and 170.50g of crystal meth.
The province also recorded R37 193 in cash seizures.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
