Over 8 000 cellphones seized in prisons as Operation Vala exposes security vulnerabilities
Operation Vala 2025/26 exposed major prison security gaps after more than 8,000 cellphones, weapons and drugs were seized across South Africa’s correctional facilities.
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Minister of Correctional Services Pieter Groenewald said Operation Vala 2025/26 resulted in the seizure of more than 8 000 cellphones and thousands of weapons across correctional facilities, exposing persistent security gaps linked to budget and staffing shortages.
Groenewald disclosed the figures in a written parliamentary reply to questions from EFF MP Nontando Nolutshungu, who requested details on contraband seizures, security breaches, and risk assessments at facilities including Pollsmoor and Oudtshoorn.
He confirmed that in the Western Cape alone, authorities seized 1 309 items of contraband, including 1 010 cellphones, 299 sharpened objects or weapons, as well as significant quantities of drugs such as cannabis, tik, mandrax and cocaine.
Cash amounting to R5 424.41 was also confiscated during the operation.
Nationally, Gauteng recorded the highest number of cellphones and cash confiscated, while KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest drug seizures.
The Eastern Cape recorded the highest number of sharpened objects recovered.
Gauteng recorded the highest number of cell phones at 2 321, along with 465 sharpened objects and drug seizures, including 6 749.86g of dagga and 170.50g of crystal meth. The province also recorded R37 193.70 in cash seizures.
KwaZulu-Natal recorded 1 855 cellphones, 499 sharpened objects, and more than 20 000g of dagga (11 874.06g and 8 755.5g combined), as well as R11 511.40 in cash.
The Eastern Cape recorded 1 298 cellphones and 768 sharpened objects, alongside drug seizures including dagga, tik and mandrax, and cash totalling R28 379.99.