woman warden

A 43-year-old warden was arrested on Friday for illegal possession of dagga. Photo: SAPS.

Woman warden, 43, arrested for dagga possession at prison

The woman ran from a staff parade at the correctional facility on Friday morning and hid her handbag in her office.

woman warden

A 43-year-old warden was arrested on Friday for illegal possession of dagga. Photo: SAPS.

A 43-year-old woman warden at a Correctional Services Centre in Mpumalanga was arrested for possession of dagga on Friday, 26 August. She allegedly brought the drugs into her workplace in a handbag.

WOMAN WARDEN CAUGHT WITH DAGGA

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohalala said the Correctional Centre’s facility manager called a parade and required all employees to be present on Friday morning.

“During the parade, the facility manager with her team announced that according to the procedures of the department of Correctional Services, no employee is allowed to enter the premises with a hand or grocery bag unless it is transparent for everyone to see the items inside.

“Whilst at the parade, everyone was informed that a search and seizure will be conducted to prevent possible drug smuggling,” said Mohlala.

The woman allegedly tried to hand her bag during the search. She ran from the parade and hid the bag in her office before entering another office.

Some of the members conducting the search followed her and found her in the other office. When they asked her why she left the parade without permission she said she had duties to attend to.

The warden was also asked about the handbag, which had suddenly disappeared, and could not provide a satisfactory answer. The bag was found after her office was searched – it contained approximately 0.186 grams of dagga with an estimated street value of R1500 and a cellphone.

“Though the warden denied knowledge of the dagga, she was arrested and a case of illegal possession of dagga opened against her,” said the police spokesperson.

The woman is expected to appear before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court imminently on the mentioned charges. The Mpumalanga police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Manamela, welcomed the arrest.

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