Video | Mobile phones, drugs and a frying pan found in Pollsmoor raid

Prisoners sit on the ground during an unscheduled raid at Pollsmoor Prison. (Photo: DKD/Facebook)

Dozens of mobile phones, drugs, cash and even a frying pan were seized during an unscheduled raid at Pollsmoor Prison in Tokai in Cape Town on Saturday evening.

Makgothi Thobakgale, national commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), led the raid together with the DSC’s emergency support teams and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).

According to Thobakgale, among other things, drugs, mobile phones, cash, internet senders, digital accessories, sharp objects and other illegal items were seized. In one of the photos from the raid, there is even a frying pan clearly visible.

Thobakgale emphasized that these items are often smuggled into correctional facilities by visitors, during inmates’ court appearances and hospital visits, and in some cases with the involvement of officials.

Among other things, drugs, mobile phones and cash were seized. In this photo there is even a braai pan clearly visible. (Photo: DKD/Facebook)

He said search operations are critical to ensure safety and security for officials as well as inmates.

Pollsmoor Prison is one of South Africa’s five largest correctional facilities. During an unscheduled raid on Pollsmoor in July last year, dozens of mobile phones and drugs were also seized. Televisions and bank cards were also seized during this raid.