- Arrest: Took place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. He is expected to appear in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (June 24).
- Background: Nxele was placed on precautionary suspension in May 2025 amid corruption, misrepresentation, and procurement irregularity allegations.
- Recent Context: He had been vocal about alleged irregularities in prison food procurement contracts, claiming inflated prices (e.g., extreme markups on items like milk) and implicating higher officials, including National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale. The department has described some of his claims as deflection.
- History: Nxele has a prior record of suspensions and legal battles with the department, including winning compensation (over R1 million) in labour court rulings related to unfair labour practices.
This arrest is part of broader ongoing investigations into procurement and corruption issues within South Africa’s Department of Correctional Services.
