A surprise raid at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town has exposed alarming levels of contraband, including cellphones, drugs, and evidence of gang communication, raising fresh concerns about corruption and security lapses within South Africa’s prison system.
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.
Other contraband seized in the two-hour raid included:
- 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.
Prohibited items
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.
Key facts:
- Location: Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town
- Inmates vs Capacity: 6 700 vs 4 336
- Contraband Seized: Phones, drugs, weapons, TV
- Investigation: Ongoing; gang communication discovered
- National Context: Similar raids underway across SA prisons
What’s the solution to overcrowding at South Africa’s 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.
