Two litres of brandy, R15 000 in cash and 530 cellphones were some of the illegal items and goods confiscated from cells at five Eastern Cape prisons over the festive season period.
The items were discovered between December 17 and December 30 2018 during a festive season campaign known as operation Vala. The operation is a nationwide campaign aimed at preventing festive season escapes and violence at all 243 South African prisons.
Illegal weapons and illicit drugs were also confiscated in the operation which focused on St Albans (Port Elizabeth), Grahamstown, Mthatha, Mdantsane and East London's correctional centres.
Acting correctional services provincial commissioner Noziphiwo Dumbela said during the blitz operation, the following contraband were confiscated from the prisons:
Cellphones = 530
Cellphone chargers = 183
Batteries = 192
Mandrax = 307 packets of tablets, 18 packets of crushed pills
Dagga = 1895 kgs, 455 slopes, 89 dagga cigarettes (zolls) and 401 blades
Sharpened Objects = 85
Knives = 4
Cash = R 15 110
Liquor = 2litres of brandy/rum
The raid was carried out by correctional services National Task Team and the department's provincial Emergency Support Team (EST).
The nationwide campaign was launched in Pretoria’s Baviaanspoort prison on December 3 where deputy correctional services minister Thabang Makwetla made a speech.
There are 21 000 prisoners housed at 44 Eastern Cape prisons, Dumbela told the Dispatch on Wednesday.
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