Prison warden found with 600 Mandrax tablets, 100 grams of tik, and 23 cellphones

A Goodwood Prison warden was arrested after being found with 600 Mandrax tablets, 100 grams of tik, and 300 grams of dagga.

He also had 23 cellular telephones, three pairs of AirPods, five USB memory sticks, 10 condoms and 60 libido tablets in his vehicle.

Member of the National Assembly Janho Engelbrecht said he will address the matter with the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

He will, through a parliamentary question, ask about the number of contraband searches conducted in each prison over the past 2 years.

He also wants to know what contraband was found, whether officials, guards or wardens were involved, and whether searches were scheduled or intelligence-led.

“The department must explain why it has failed to stop the circulation of contraband through South African prisons,” he said.

“They must be held accountable for the security failures allowing drugs, cellphones and other contraband into correctional facilities.”

He said the arrest of a Goodwood Prison warden during a targeted roadblock at the prison was concerning.

“The seizure is concerning because of the quantity and variety of contraband involved, and the role of an official entrusted with securing the facility,” he said.

“Officials have legitimate access to and knowledge of security procedures, making corruption or collusion by a small number of staff particularly damaging.”

He said that Parliament has previously raised concerns about the increase in cellphone discoveries at Goodwood.

It highlighted the use of illicit phones by gang leaders to communicate with people outside prison.

Engelbrecht said that the Department of Correctional Services needs to strengthen intelligence-led searches of officials.

He also proposed searching vehicles and high-risk areas and rotating personnel in sensitive posts.

“Technology must also be strengthened, including cellphone detection, CCTV, access control and monitoring of vulnerable points around facilities,” he said.

“Officials caught facilitating the movement of drugs or phones face swift disciplinary action alongside criminal investigations.”

He added that honest officials must be protected when they provide credible intelligence about corruption.