Surprise Pollsmoor Prison raid leads to shocking discovery
The operation, led by Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, took place on Wednesday evening and is part of a nationwide crackdown aimed at curbing gang influence behind bars.
'Just over 450 inmates were transported between courts and this prison on Wednesday alone,' Thobakgale said, citing inmate transfers as a major security risk.
Among the most shocking discoveries was a hollowed-out brick used by an inmate to hide six cellphones.
The inmate has since been relocated.
Investigators also found a phone containing WhatsApp messages linking a prisoner to a gang member outside the facility.
Authorities are withholding further information as the investigation continues. 53 cellphones
210 bags of marijuana
Mandrax pills
Unauthorised chargers
An illegal television
The sweep also revealed unsanitary conditions, malfunctioning lights, broken taps, and illegal electrical connections in various parts of the facility.
Pollsmoor, built to accommodate 4 336 inmates, is currently overcrowded with 6 700 prisoners, according to Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.
The high volume of inmates, paired with staffing challenges and crumbling infrastructure, presents serious hurdles to maintaining order.
Commissioner Thobakgale admitted that corrupt prison officials are a key factor in the smuggling of prohibited items, stating: 'We are aware that contraband enters through various means, including being smuggled inside body cavities, wrapped in plastic. We need stricter enforcement and greater accountability among staff.'
This operation follows a violent incident last month, where a warder was stabbed by an inmate, triggering a partial lockdown of the prison.
Similar raids have recently been conducted at Odi Correctional Centre and Kgosi Mampuru Prison as part of a broader effort to dismantle gang networks within correctional facilities.
Thobakgale emphasised the importance of cutting off inmate communication with the outside world to undermine gang structures.
He said this is critical to restoring control in prisons that have become breeding grounds for organised crime. Location: Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town
Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town Inmates vs Capacity: 6 700 vs 4 336
6 700 vs 4 336 Contraband Seized: Phones, drugs, weapons, TV
Phones, drugs, weapons, TV Investigation: Ongoing; gang communication discovered
Ongoing; gang communication discovered National Context: Similar raids underway across SA prisons
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
19 hours ago
- The South African
Police captain commits suicide after killing girlfriend and her brother
Gauteng police have opened an inquest docket in Protea after a police captain committed suicide after he allegedly shot and killed his girlfriend and her brother. The incident happened in Protea, Soweto, on Saturday night, 26 July. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson in Gauteng, colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said it is alleged that the group was at home celebrating the birthday of the captain's girlfriend, who is also a police officer. 'The captain reportedly called the girlfriend to the side, and that is when people saw him draw a firearm, and shoot her and her brother dead while three other civilians sustained injuries. He then turned the gun on himself,' Nevhuhulwi explained. Two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and an inquest docket were opened at Protea police station for further investigation. Meanwhile Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni expressed his sadness at this incident and sent his heartfelt condolences to the affected families. 'We give our members these tools to protect themselves against criminals, so it is very disheartening to see the very same tools being used to kill their loved ones. I urge our members to make use of employee health and wellness facilities to assist them to deal with any problems they may be facing, whether work or personal, EHW is always there', Mthombeni said. Recently, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) called on the SAPS to strengthen its mental health and wellness support programmes for officers, following a tragic incident involving one of its own. A female police constable, Ntombethemba Mgidi, appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court on Monday, 22 July, after being arrested in connection with the fatal shootings of two fellow officers in the Mbayimbayi area near Murchison on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast last week. Both victims later died from their injuries at Murchison Hospital. 'This act of violence highlights the urgent need for SAPS to intensify internal wellness and psychological support programmes that help members manage relational and emotional pressures,' said POPCRU spokesperson Richard Mamabolo. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
#Letter: Pickpocketed and robbed of R4 000
Sheffield resident Guy Daines writes: On Sunday, July 13, at about 11.30am, I went to the Capitec branch ATM at Ballito Lifestyle Centre with my son's card. While in the queue to take a balance and draw cash, I was pushed from the front and back and before I knew it, the card was missing. It was a very professional hit job. I went to a security guard for help but he looked on helplessly. Five minutes later, R4 000 was taken from the account via an ATM at the Shell garage. On Monday, I went into the bank and reported the incident after cancelling the card on Sunday. The bank said I must report it to police and centre management and I acted accordingly, returning to the bank after I received a police case number. The bank also said they have to wait for the crime division of Saps to contact them. How long will that take? The banks are the ones that have moved their queues from inside their banking halls to outside. In the interim, Marc from Lifestyle Centre contacted me and said they will call for CCTV footage. As of Friday, July 18, I am still waiting. So I am left R4 000 short at this time of the month, with no camera evidence and no timeframe – unlikely to get my money back. Pissed off to say the least. Capitec Ballito Lifestyle Centre declined to respond. Lifestyle Centre management responds: We regret that Mr Daines has experienced the reported theft of his son's bank card. It is our understanding that Marc, Client Services Manager from our security company, Excellerate, has updated Mr Daines on the camera footage. We are happy to meet with Mr Daines, his son and our security company to understand if there is any way in which we can assist further. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Will Mkhwanazi accept gift of cows from the public?
KwaZulu-Natal provincial commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has been promised two cows from a fundraising initiative that raised close to R50 000 by his supporters. But is he permitted to accept it as a gesture of gratitude? Earlier this month, notorious X troll Chris Excel launched a crowdfunding initiative to gift Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi two cows as a 'token of appreciation.' The initiative was a hit, raising R44 000 for the top cop who went public with allegations of corruption within the police department. While some have claimed that accepting the gift would equate to 'bribery', officials say otherwise. KZN police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, told The South African that police may accept gifts, for any reason, provided that they declare that it is not a gratification. 'There is a gift register in the SAPS that police officers sign to declare all gifts', he said. According to Excel, the BackaBuddy funds will be released once Mkhwanazi publicly acknowledges the gesture. Meanwhile, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has garnered widespread support – from the public to political parties – around South Africa. 'Hands off Mkhwanazi' has been a trending topic on social media, with many publicly pledging to support the KZN commissioner. South Africans have even threatened to riot and loot should any action be taken against him. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
