New Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald is making his mark by conducting robust raids in notorious South African prisons, garnering praise from the public. The recent raid at the Johannesburg Correctional Service Centre, also known as Sun City prison, uncovered a significant amount of contraband, including cellphones, laptops, TVs, PlayStations, makeup, and sex toys, highlighting the issue of illegal possession of electronics by inmates.
Responding to concerns raised by a viral video of an inmate living a “soft life” in prison, Groenewald has vowed to crack down on officials involved in such activities. In his budget presentation, he expressed concern about overcrowding in prisons and emphasized the need for the criminal justice system to work together in addressing this issue.
One of Groenewald’s priorities is demanding answers from the Mangaung prison, where a notorious rapist and murderer escaped in 2022. Social media has been abuzz with praise for Groenewald, with many urging more raids in prisons and comparing his tenure to that of former Minister Ronald Lamola.
While some defended Lamola, pointing out that raids were conducted during his tenure as well, Groenewald’s proactive approach to tackling issues in the correctional system has captured the public’s attention.