Pretoria prisoner’s flashy lifestyle causes stir

TEBOGO Makena, a Pretoria prisoner, had social media abuzz yesterday when he boasted about his flashy lifestyle, in a video.

Makena, who is serving four years for malicious damage to state property and housebreaking, also faces fraud and forgery charges, said Gauteng Correctional Services spokesperson Mocheta Monama.

Makena and Lucas Masemola were found to have run a suspected scam from inside Odi Prison in Mabopane last year. Police said they allegedly posed as investigators and would call police stations for information on car hijackings and theft.

They would then call the victims, tell them their vehicles had been recovered and ask for money to be deposited through eWallet for the return of the vehicles.

Makena was transferred to Pretoria. In the video posted on Twitter yesterday, Makena and an unidentified inmate boast about a new pair of Louis Vuitton shoes that cost R13 000.

The video also shows food items such as Jacobs Krönung coffee, and a Russell Hobbs kettle, which are luxuries in jail. Although an obvious offence seen in the video was the use of cellphones, Monama said other possible offences would be revealed once an investigation was concluded.

“Due to the seriousness of the matter, we instituted an internal investigation. It will also help ensure plans are in place to minimise such incidents.”