A South African Member of Parliament has called for the urgent installation of signal jammers in prisons across the country to curb the rising number of crimes allegedly being orchestrated from behind bars.
The call follows claims made by Police Minister Bheki Cele that several criminal operations, including extortion and kidnapping, are being coordinated by inmates using mobile phones inside prison cells.
According to The Africa Standard, the MP, who raised the issue during a parliamentary session, argued that the time had come for the government to deploy advanced signal jamming technology to disrupt illegal communications among inmates.
The MP said that despite several high-profile arrests, crime syndicates continue to thrive because they maintain contact with outside accomplices through cell phones smuggled into correctional facilities.
He noted that the Department of Correctional Services has repeatedly failed to contain the flow of contraband phones and SIM cards into prisons.
“The use of mobile phones by inmates is not only illegal but also undermines public safety,” the MP said. “We must invest in signal-blocking systems that can cut off communication entirely from these prisons.”
The proposal comes amid growing concern that South African prisons have become command centers for organized crime.
Minister Cele recently stated that a significant number of extortion and cash-in-transit heists were being directed by inmates serving lengthy sentences.
Cele also revealed that certain prisoners maintain constant contact with their criminal networks through social media platforms and encrypted messaging apps.
The Africa Standard gathered that law enforcement agencies have intercepted communications linking some inmates to ongoing gang wars and contract killings outside the prison walls.
In response to Cele’s remarks, several lawmakers have demanded stronger technological and security reforms within correctional institutions.
The MP emphasized that it is unacceptable for convicted criminals to continue committing crimes while in custody.
“We cannot allow our prisons to become business hubs for criminals,” he added. “We need decisive measures, including the use of signal jammers, to cut off their reach.”
Experts say implementing signal jammers could significantly reduce criminal activities organized from inside prisons.
Security analyst Thabo Maseko told The Africa Standard that jammers are used successfully in several countries to prevent inmates from accessing communication networks.
“Countries like India, Brazil, and Kenya have installed jammers in high-risk prisons, and it has helped to cut down on organized crimes by as much as 70 percent,” Maseko said.
However, not everyone supports the idea. Some human rights advocates have raised concerns about potential misuse and interference with legitimate communications in surrounding areas.
They argue that jammers could affect nearby hospitals, emergency services, and businesses that rely on stable mobile networks.
In response to these concerns, the MP clarified that modern jamming systems can be designed to operate within a limited radius, targeting only prison compounds.
Correctional officers have also expressed frustration, saying they feel powerless against the continuous smuggling of cell phones and SIM cards into prisons.
An officer who spoke to The Africa Standard on condition of anonymity said, “We conduct regular searches, but the inmates always find new ways to hide phones. Some even use drones or visitors to bring them in.”
The Department of Correctional Services has acknowledged the growing challenge of technology-based crimes within prisons.
In a recent statement, the department said it is reviewing options for integrating advanced surveillance and communication control systems.
Minister Cele has yet to formally respond to the MP’s proposal, but security analysts believe the government may soon begin pilot tests of signal jammers in select facilities.
As pressure mounts on the authorities to act, many South Africans are calling for swift reforms to ensure prisons no longer serve as crime command centers.
The Africa Standard will continue to monitor developments as lawmakers debate the implementation of signal jammers in the country’s correctional facilities.
