The court turned down a claim by a correctional services officer who alleged that he was humiliated by a strip-search following a tip-off that he was bringing drugs into the prison.
An East London correctional officer sued the Correctional Services Minister for damages after a "degrading" strip-search following a tip-off about drugs at the facility.
The official Simphiwe Nkwateni turned to the Eastern Cape High Court after nothing was found on him, claiming the search was "malicious" search, done without a warrant.
He said he was intercepted by his supervisor, only identified as Mrhasi on July 7, 2023 after returning from lunch. Instead of a routine pat-down, Nkwateni testified he was ordered to strip down following a tip-off that he was bringing contraband, including drugs, into the facility.
Nkwateni testified that he accompanied Mrhasi to his office, where another official was also present. Mrhasi told him that he had received information alleging that he was carrying drugs. Nkwateni wanted his shop steward to be present as a witness, but the latter was unavailable.
