SA Amazed by Prisoner Active on TikTok, Participating in Viral Trends and Going Live

• A South African prisoner amazed many when he showed off his goofy personality on social media
• The young man is very active on TikTok and participates in viral trends that have drawn many people to his account 
• So far, he has over 5,000 followers and over 16,000 overall likes after posting three videos and going live a couple of times 

South Africans were amazed by a prisoner who had a prominent social media presence and wondered how he was able to hide his device.

SA prisoner goes viral on TikTok

South Africans were amazed to see a Mzansi prisoner thriving online. The young man participated in a now-viral TikTok trend where he shared his dream home.

The guy made it known that he was a prisoner by choosing the username: “Isbotshwa.”

The name translates to ‘prisoner’ in English, reinforcing his identity. The chap's TikTok bio explains further:

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“Sentenced individual. Hustler! Dreams delayed are not dreams denied.”

The chap often goes live with his followers and shares his story. Recently, he appeared on a live chat, chilling on his bed with other prisoners chatting in the background. 

The chipped walls and bed made out of steel made an appearance too, as he appeared on video during the interaction. One of the posts on his TikTok features him mopping the bathroom floor.

Is he pulling a Thabo Bester?

South Africans were curious if the guy was locked up in the same prison as the notorious Thabo Bester.

Bester is a convicted rapist and murderer who made headlines after faking his death and escaping from Mangaung Correctional Centre in May 2022.

However, it's not clear where this viral prisoner is locked up. He often wears a mask and sunglasses to hide his face. The prisoner captioned his now-viral video:

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“POV: Choosing my home for the next five years.”

Watch the TikTok video below:

Strict rules around prison phones

According to the Department of Correctional Services, prisoners are not allowed to have cellphones. Prisoners caught with cellphones violate regulations and can face disciplinary measures, including charges under Section 23 (1) of the Correctional Services Act. Cellphones are classified as contraband, and possessing one is considered a punishable offence.

There are set rules in place that guide when and how South African prisoners can make phone calls:

"Prisoners cannot receive phone calls. Prisoners have access to telephones during set times when they are out of their cells. Prisoners must have funds in their telephone account before making the call. Prisoners can only call the approved numbers on their telephone access list. This list can only have 10 phone numbers."

Mzansi amazed by socially active prisoner

Social media reactions to the video of a prisoner shooting content were mixed. Many questioned how the inmate managed to access a phone, while others raised concerns about the security within South African prisons.

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Have a look at some comments below:

@lehlohonolothoaba3 was wowed:

“My goodness. Being in South Africa must be nice. Even prisoners are content creators.”

@Don Buthelezi commented:

“Next thing you’ll film a ‘get ready with me’.”

@Isbotshwa!🇿🇦 promised:

“Coming soon.”

@Patience.K asked:

“I like your sense of humour and the way you reply to posts, but, honestly, what are you doing here?”

@Ziningi Shabane 🇿🇦 was stunned:

“South Africa is a joke, I’m telling you. Prisoners are now content creators. I’m leaving this country.”

@maNhlangothi 🤍asked:

“Where did you get the phone?”

@Isbotshwa!🇿🇦 responded:

“Where it’s sold.”

@Felicia wondered if the guy tried to escape:

“Have you tried the Thabo Bester’s trick?”

@Paulinah Moloiy jokingly wondered:

“Okay, man, is Bester there?”

3 More stories related to SA’s justice system by Briefly News

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• South Africans were proud of how the youth handled an excited police officer who addressed the protesters urging the justice system to attend to Cwecwe's case.
• Mzansi stood up and planned a national mass march for Cwecwe's justice and urged people to get involved.

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Hilary Sekgota, human interest head of desk at Briefly News, contributed to this article.

Source: Briefly News