Pretoria - The conduct of a Correctional Services officer, depicted drunk while in uniform in a video circulating on social media has appalled the department, an official said on Wednesday.

"The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is aware of a video depicting a drunk official in DCS uniform circulating on social media. The department is deeply appalled and aggrieved by this video," spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said.

"A conduct of this nature can never be allowed in DCS, hence an urgent investigation has been instituted."

In the video, the visibly inebriated official is awoken, seemingly by a superior at DCS, and struggles to converse and to stand still. The man does not know where his service firearm is, when asked to find it. He is also unable to stand on one leg when asked to do so.

Nxumalo said the official's conduct goes against the service delivery charter.