Cape Town – National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale led unannounced raids at Zonderwater Correctional Centre in Pretoria on Thursday night and Witbank Correctional Facility on Wednesday, as part of Operation Vala to bolster safety during the festive season.
At Zonderwater, officials seized contraband including cellphones, cash, syringes, and uncovered a tuckshop operating inside a cell.
Thobakgale condemned such illegal activities by inmates, vowing firm action.
“It is unacceptable that some offenders engage in illegal activities that undermine security. We will take firm and decisive action against those involved,” he said.
#Zonderwater: National Commissioner for Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale, questions management about the private tuckshop.
Five lockers were being used to cell cooldrink, chips, rice and cigarettes.
KJ #KayaNews https://t.co/Nnmu2xcrdH pic.twitter.com/UTGMI5j8I5
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) December 18, 2025
The Witbank search of two cells and kitchens involving 52 offenders yielded 18 cellphones, 12 chargers, 2 batteries, 1 USB, 1 sharpened object, 4 SIM cards, 10g dagga, R520 cash, 8 cigarette cartons, 2 perfume bottles, 6 earphones, and 2 scissors.
Thobakgale said that these efforts aim to maintain secure environments for inmates, officials, and communities, while supporting rehabilitation and family visits amid holiday staff rotations.
National Commissioner Thobakgale Leads Unannounced Operation at Zonderwater Correctional Centre:
Tonight, 18 December 2025, the National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr Makgothi Thobakgale, is leading an unannounced operational search at… https://t.co/i4yDBc2aus pic.twitter.com/0ZUzlZ02xF
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 18, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
