The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Thobakgale says criminal syndicates operating in Eastern Cape prisons have changed their tactics and are now manipulating elderly people and using them to smuggle contraband into correctional facilities.

Thobakgalae says this is a new worrying trend they have just uncovered.

He was speaking in the province after visiting the St Albans Management Area, which includes areas like Mthatha.

“It has to be said that St Albans Management Area has been doing a phenomenal work in intercepting attempts to smuggle contraband into the facility. While this reflects positively on our internal security mechanisms, it is equally troubling that individuals, of advanced age, are being manipulated or coerced into participating in these illegal activities.

“For instance, just last weekend, a 58-year-old woman was arrested attempting to smuggle dagga, medication, mobile phone accessories, and other prohibited items into the facility. These incidents highlight the persistent and evolving threats we face, including tactics such as throwing packages over the perimeter fences, targeting inmates working in agricultural fields,” he said.

He added that such actions demonstrate a coordinated efforts by external criminal elements seeking to undermine correctional facilities’ security infrastructure and compromise the integrity of their centres.

Meanwhile, Thobakgale used the opportunity to refute claims that recently acquitted Nigerian pastor, Timothy Omotoso was receiving preferential treatment in one of the jails in the Eastern Cape.

He said the claims are baseless.

“In light of recent misleading reports on the preferential treatment of Timothy Omotoso, I must firmly state that these allegations are entirely false and represent a gross misuse of the media platform. It is deeply concerning that individuals with dubious backgrounds, who disappear when confronted and reappear only when controversy offers them visibility, are given space to perpetuate unfounded narratives.”