SA prisons: gangs, contraband, IS-linked detainees persist — official admits systemic failure

Correctional Services chief Makgothi Thobakgale testified before the Madlanga Commission that South African prisons remain overcrowded, with gang infiltration, inmate cellphone access, and drug trafficking continuing. He also flagged detainees allegedly linked to Islamic State, underscoring a persistent security failure. The admission signals systemic governance gaps in the correctional system, though no immediate policy shift is indicated.