{
  "id": 8172996,
  "title": "More than 100,000 cellphones smuggled into prisons by guards, Madlanga Commission hears",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/more-than-100-000-cellphones-smuggled-into-prisons-by-guards-madlanga",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T03:55:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2026-09-18-more-than-100000-cellphones-smuggled-into-prisons-by-guards-madlanga-commission-hears/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Thobakgale described contraband as a central driver of an illicit prison economy that fuels criminal activity inside correctional centres and strengthens links between incarcerated offenders and criminal networks outside.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Citizen",
        "title": "Gang members use prisons as refuge from street wars, Madlanga commission told",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/gang-members-use-prisons-as-refuge-from-street-wars-madlanga",
        "published": "2026-09-17T17:30:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Maverick",
        "title": "MADLANGA COMMISSION: Where criminals rule the roost — Correctional Services boss outlines SA prisons’ parlous state",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/madlanga-commission-where-criminals-rule-the-roost-correctional",
        "published": "2026-09-17T20:34:42.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "PSC’s Somadoda Fikeni to take the stand at Madlanga Commission",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/pscs-somadoda-fikeni-to-take-the-stand-at-madlanga-commission",
        "published": "2026-09-18T05:27:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}