A video showing former advocate Malesela Teffo dancing with fellow inmates inside Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility has prompted an urgent search operation, resulting in the confiscation of cellphones, drugs and several other unauthorised items.
The Department of Correctional Services confirmed on Friday, 6 November 2026, that National Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale had instructed prison management to conduct an immediate search in the unit where the offenders identified in the circulating video were accommodated.
The search uncovered a significant amount of contraband, including five cellphones, three routers, one laptop, two bank cards, 11 chargers and three USB devices.
Correctional officials also confiscated 16 packets of illicit cigarettes, five balls of dagga, 194 Mandrax tablets, two hacksaw blades and various sharp objects.
The department said the quantity and nature of the items recovered highlighted serious security breaches within the correctional facility.
Offenders identified in the video, as well as those found in possession of contraband, will face internal disciplinary proceedings.
Their conduct will also be considered when assessing their profiles, potentially affecting their correctional placement, privileges and other relevant considerations.
The department further announced an investigation to establish how the electronic device used to record the video, together with the other prohibited items, entered the facility.
It said possible involvement or negligence by correctional services officials would also be investigated, with appropriate action to follow if wrongdoing is established.
In a statement, the department said Commissioner Thobakgale had reiterated that correctional facilities were not places where offenders could disregard established rules and security protocols without consequences.
Although the video circulating on social media features Teffo, the department’s statement does not identify him as the owner of any of the confiscated items or confirm that the contraband was recovered from his personal cell.
The department said maintaining discipline and ensuring that correctional facilities remain free of contraband were among its key priorities.
