Photographs of former President Jacob Zuma being booked into the Estcourt correctional Centre in KwaZulu Natal have been leaked online.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says a criminal case has been opened after an SD card from a camera was stolen.
A spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the Department is appalled by the distribution of the photographs and will launch a full investigation.
It is alleged that the SD card was stolen from the camera belonging to an official who had been tasked to take the photos for institutional filing purposes.
Nxumalo says they view this in a very serious light and have issued the official with a notice of suspension.
The matter will now be investigated by both police and the DCS.
It is illegal to share a photograph of a prisoner without their permission.
