By Charmaine Ndlela
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has launched an investigation after inmate Jermaine Prim gave an unauthorised telephonic interview to eNCA from Johannesburg Correctional Centre.
DCS said the interview was conducted without the approval of National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale and that no formal application had been received from the broadcaster.
“This engagement, conducted without the approval of the National Commissioner, represents a clear violation of established Standard Operating Procedures,” department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said.
He said media houses are required to apply formally for permission to interview offenders to ensure that security, legal processes and victims’ rights are not compromised.
The department said it was concerned by the length and uninterrupted nature of the interview and would investigate how the communication took place and whether there had been lapses in internal controls.
During the interview with eNCA journalist Heidi Giokos, Prim made allegations against Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, claiming he had links to Cape Town’s drug trade.
He also alleged that McKenzie influenced his transfer to a maximum-security facility and had provided him with two cellphones to run Patriotic Alliance (PA) campaigns from prison.
Prim has also submitted a sworn affidavit to Parliament’s ad hoc committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
In it, he said some of his information came from conversations with alleged underworld figures, including businessman and attempted-murder accused, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, with whom he said he had shared a prison cell.
The PA rejected Prim’s claims as false and politically motivated. The party said it intended to take legal action against eNCA, its editor, Giokos, and DCS officials involved in the matter.
McKenzie said Prim first contacted him in 2020 while pretending to be an ordinary PA supporter offering marketing assistance. He said he later cut ties after learning of threats Prim had allegedly made against PA members, including women.
The party further said Prim is serving a sentence for fraud, scams and theft.
DCS said it remained committed to upholding institutional security and would act decisively against any conduct that undermines the correctional system.
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