The proposal by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to install cellphone signal-blocking technology at Pollsmoor Prison has triggered a national debate on prison security, crime prevention, and the constitutional rights of inmates.
In a letter addressed to Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald, Hill-Lewis outlined urgent concerns over a surge in criminal activity allegedly orchestrated by inmates using mobile phones from within the prison walls.
“We must do more than just jail criminals; we have to prevent their ability to coordinate crime from within prisons,” Hill-Lewis said, citing reports of extortion threats to city contractors, including one who abandoned a project in Bishop Lavis after receiving a call from a known underworld figure currently imprisoned at Pollsmoor.
The initiative forms part of a pilot project led by the Department of Correctional Services, aimed at curbing the growing use of illicit cellphones in South African prisons.
SAPOHR Pushes Back
The plan, however, has come under fire from the South African Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights (SAPOHR), which argues that signal-blocking technology could infringe on inmates’ constitutional rights, particularly their right to communicate with legal representatives and family members.
“Communication is a fundamental human right,” SAPOHR said in a statement.
“Any solution must protect both public safety and the human dignity of those incarcerated.”
The organisation has called for a more balanced approach that tackles security concerns without disregarding constitutional protections.
They warn that the proposal, if implemented without due consideration, could face legal challenges.
National Government Responds
Minister Groenewald confirmed the urgency of addressing contraband in correctional facilities and expressed support for exploring technological solutions.
“We are taking decisive steps to root out illegal cellphones in prisons,” Groenewald said, adding that efforts will include both signal-blocking technology and increased raids targeting contraband.
The City of Cape Town has offered to assist with:
- Intelligence-sharing to trace criminal networks linked to Pollsmoor
- Technical and logistical support for signal-blocking installations
- Public awareness campaigns to build support for anti-crime efforts
Calls for Criminal Justice Reform
The issue has also reignited criticism of South Africa’s parole and prosecution systems.
Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, highlighted repeat offenses by parolees and the system’s failure to secure convictions.
“We regularly see repeat offenders return to the streets,” Smith said.
“This is symptomatic of a broken justice system. We need reforms to parole policies and stronger prosecutorial capabilities.”
He reiterated the City’s longstanding call for devolution of investigative powers to municipal officers to aid SAPS in combating gang, drug, gun, and extortion crimes more effectively.
The Bigger Picture
As South Africa grapples with corruption, gang violence, and systemic justice failures, the controversy surrounding cellphone signal-blocking at Pollsmoor Prison underscores the tension between security enforcement and human rights.
While authorities push for stronger measures to disrupt criminal activity behind bars, civil rights organisations urge caution, warning against sacrificing constitutional principles in the name of crime prevention.
The final decision now rests with national government, which must weigh the benefits of technological enforcement against legal, ethical, and human rights considerations.
