An unannounced raid at Pietermaritzburg’s New Prison on Sunday evening uncovered cash, mobile phones, and other contraband, with inmates scrambling as officials conducted a thorough search that lasted several hours.

The operation, led by national commissioner for Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale, was based on intelligence about inmate misconduct and revealed further concerns about systemic corruption and favouritism within South Africa’s correctional facilities.

Beginning at 19:00 on Sunday, the raid resulted in the seizure of contraband and the discovery of an improvised system used to circulate illegal items.

The contributors to the distribution of contraband in our facilities include inmates who are still going to court and those who are sentenced but face additional charges.

“They interact with the public and bring these items into our facilities. Our members, family visitors, and offenders themselves all play a role in this,” Thobakgale said.

He said that offenders caught with illegal items are reclassified as high-risk and relocated to stricter facilities. However, the department faces challenges due to staff shortages and the high cost of advanced security technology.

“We have more than 160 000 inmates nationwide but fewer than 30 000 staff members. Offenders are very industrious in where and how they hide these items. To complement our staff, we rely on technology, but a single body scanner costs over R6m,” he said.

The operation comes amid allegations of preferential treatment for wealthy and influential inmates in KwaZulu-Natal prisons.

Reports suggest that affluent prisoners, such as convicted murderer Rajivee Soni and businessman Thoshan Panday, have been spending extended periods in private hospitals, bypassing official protocols.

Whistleblowers claim these arrangements are facilitated by a network of corrupt officials, family members, and external doctors, enabling wealthy prisoners to enjoy hospital stays under guard.

Soni, sentenced to 30 years in 2018 for orchestrating the murder of his friend Dr Bhavish Sewram, is alleged to have used his wealth and influence to secure these privileges.

Similarly, Panday has faced accusations of receiving undue leniency.

These claims, reported by Mail & Guardian in October, are now under investigation at the request of Minister Pieter Groenewald.

Sunday’s raid was part of Operation Vala, launched in November to enhance safety and compliance in correctional centres.

Nxumalo said the unannounced search aimed to confiscate contraband that compromises safety and the orderly management of facilities.

Teams comprising correctional officials and SAPS officers confiscated prohibited items, including mobile phones and sharp objects.

“The centre must account for how these items entered the facility and identify those involved,” Nxumalo said.

Commissioner Thobakgale assured the public of the department’s commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring adherence to operational standards.

“Such operations reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of our correctional system. Robust measures will continue to address challenges within our facilities and ensure offender rehabilitation in a secure environment,” he said.