The portfolio committee on correctional services believes drastic security measures still need to be implemented at the Goodwood Correctional Centre to curb breaches after surprise searches conducted days apart this month found 28 cellphones, among other contraband items.
It emerged there were two night officials on guard and six officials to 88 inmates per block.
The committee conducted an oversight visit to the facility on Wednesday, which started with a walkabout to the prison’s section G10, where sentenced inmates with brown jerseys are held, and G6 for remand detainees who were in their orange uniforms.
It was noted that two high-profile accused, including alleged gang boss Nafiz Modack, were held in single cells. The committee wanted an update on the progress made in terms of consequence management and the discipline of officials.
This is after former inmate Bornface Kereta Banks went viral in a video in July talking about the good life inmates were living in the facility, and two officials who fought at a garage with one stabbing another one.
Goodwood area commissioner Moliehi Sebotsa said: “The inmate was charged ... and immediately transferred to a Maximum facility. An investigator was appointed to look at the possible complicity of officials.
“Numerous search operations were undertaken, and confiscated contraband was analysed and some handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.
“According to the investigation, the inmate has several videos recorded on his TikTok account and the investigation further indicates that these videos, inside the cell and in the courtyard, had been recorded owing to poor supervision by officials.”
A surprise search was conducted on August 10 where 19 cellphones were found. One of the cellphones was not locked, and on accessing it, the information found linked a police member to an inmate, suggesting an unethical relationship.
“The SAPS member was subsequently positively identified by the Hawks. Furthermore, on August 11 another surprise search was conducted and nine cellphones were confiscated.
On the same day, one of the patrol members managed to apprehend two private persons who came to throw drugs, cellphones and knives over the wall. SAPS were called and a charge was laid at Goodwood SAPS. The persons are currently inmates,” said Sebotsa.
This year, the department finalised seven formal disciplinary cases involving their staff, with three pending.
There is one pending investigation. Consequence management due to smuggling of contraband or corrupt officials included three precautionary suspensions and two alternative placement decisions.
Disciplinary outcomes included the dismissal of two correctional officials. One person resigned before the disciplinary case was finalised, and two were served three months’ suspension orders without pay sanction as an alternative to dismissal.
Committee chairperson Kgomotso Ramolobeng expressed concern over the security perimeter fence surrounding the facility which led to the high risk of smuggling and intruders.
She also questioned the number of acting roles at the facility and regional management, saying this could also lead to instability.
Fifty-six posts are yet to be filled at the centre, with an overpopulation of 53%. The approved bed space was 1 651, while there were 1 857 remand detainees and 640 sentenced offenders.
Correctional Services Deputy Minister Lindiwe Ntshalintshali was also present and joined by DCS officials, including national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale, to respond to questions about overview of the Western Cape region.
Ntshalintshali said they would engage with the Treasury over budgets to address bedding and vacancy issues.
Responding to the question of acting regional commissioner and acting deputy, Thobakgale said they were expecting that by September there would be no acting roles and positions would be filled.
Cape Times