IOL reports that a Standerton Correctional Centre warden has been arrested in connection with an alleged drug smuggling syndicate being run out of the Mpumulanga prison.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, said the official was nabbed at his home, on Thursday, 4 May 2023.

READ: Mpumulanga SAPS Captain Bust for Allegedly Selling 22 Kgs of Cannabis from the Back of His Police Van in Sabie Forest

“Police operationalised information received whereby members from Standerton Crime Intelligence, Standerton K9 and Correctional Service personnel followed up the alibi of the member who is involved in drug smuggling.

“A search was conducted and one sachet of crystal meth weighing 9g, 19 plastic bags of dagga weighing 1 856kg, seven cellphones, six cellphone chargers, seven sim cards and an undisclosed amount of cash was recovered and confiscated,” Mohlala said.

The official is expected to appear in the Standerton District Court for possession of drugs and other items.Mohlala said the investigation will determine if the suspect is involved in drug smuggling and an additional charge might be added.

Provincial commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela welcomed the arrest and said there is no room for "rotten potatoes" in the security cluster.

In January 2023, inmates at the Boksburg Correctional Centre “became unruly” and barricaded a sectional gate during a search operation.At the time, Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said inmates retaliated to mandatory searches which are part of its festive season security operation.