More than 3 800 contraband discovered and confiscated at Western Cape prisons

More than 3 800 weapons were discovered and confiscated in Western Cape prisons over a 12-month period. This was revealed by Correctional Services Minister, Pieter Groenewald in a reply to a parliamentary question by the Democratic Alliance (DA).

These weapons include sharp objects, self-made knives, scissors, and other makeshift weapons such as wires, broom and broken mirrors. The reply further revealed that 12.6 litres of alcohol were found abandoned and could not be linked to any correctional officials or inmates. Drugs were also being smuggled into these prisons at an alarming rate.

Groenewald revealed that Goodwood prison had 1 900 weapons confiscated, followed by Pollsmoor prison with 942, and Brandvlei Correctional facility with 427 weapons.

SUPPLIED

When asked by DA MP, Nicholas Gotsell, on what extent has the Correctional Services department engaged with Western Cape SAPS in an attempt to investigate the alarming high numbers of drugs and weapons that have been confiscated from the Western Cape detainees over the 12-month period, Groenewald said, ‘’There is currently close collaboration with the South African Police Services, State Security, Anti-gang Unit and Crime Intelligence to deal with these issues. Part of the collaboration includes joint searching operations in identified hot spot areas.’’

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services, in February, urged the Department of Correctional Services to implement existing strategies to stem the influx of contraband.

 

Done by: Mitchum George