Reasserting gang dominance could have triggered deadly Pollsmoor violence

LAST week’s violent incident at Pollsmoor prison where three inmates were killed and two guards injured, appears to have been a deliberate act of defiance and an attempt to reassert gang dominance in response to the Correctional Services department’s renewed enforcement of discipline and order.

One of the inmates involved in the attack on prison staff was reportedly a self-proclaimed “General” of the 26 Gang, Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale at Pollsmoor Correctional Facility said on Tuesday.

Thobakgale noted that his last visit to Pollsmoor Management Area was on September 29 when he introduced a team deployed by the Head Office tasked with stabilising the Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility. 

“Their deployment followed a thorough assessment that identified several operational and systemic weaknesses which demanded urgent intervention to restore order, accountability, and security,” Thobakgale said.

Among measures introduced was the introduction of a biometric fingerprint system, the return of 33 experienced officials to the Remand Detention Facility to strengthen supervision and tightening of movement controls.

“This inevitably provoked resistance and resentment among those who had benefited from the previous state of affairs, creating tensions that, regrettably, culminated in the incident of October 29,” Thobakgale said. 

That morning, Correctional Officials Wuve Rubushe and Mendo Somdyala were performing routine duties in Unit D3 of the Remand Detention Facility. 

Remand detainee Bonginkosi Jali, aged 46 and detained for theft, requested to use the toilet facility and was unlocked from Communal Cell 208. At that time, two other remand detainees, Ricardo Krotz, aged 28 and charged under POCA-related offences, and Andre Gouws, aged 22 and detained for murder, were in the passage performing cleaning duties. All three were armed with sharpened objects. 

Thobakgale said the assault began when Jali emerged from the toilet facility and attacked Somdyala. Despite his injuries, Somdyala managed to run to the unit office for assistance, where Rubushe was stationed. 

“The three detainees pursued him into the office and continued their attack on both officials. Mr Peters, another official, arrived during the assault and called for backup. Additional officials responded and were able to disarm and remove the attackers, ultimately rescuing the injured officers. Force had to be used to stop the assault. The detainees were immediately taken to the facility hospital, treated by the resident doctor, and later transferred to an external hospital.” 

Jali and Gouws died the same day, while Krotz succumbed to his injuries on Friday. 

Both officials were taken to hospital for further medical care and have since been discharged. 

Thobakgale said a subsequent search of Unit D3 yielded six weapons, including two okapi knives and four sharpened objects. The D-Unit remains under lockdown in line with Standard Operating Procedures, and identified offenders have been relocated to other units for security reasons.

Thobakgale said preliminary investigations indicate this was a gang-related incident with Jali reportedly a self-proclaimed “General” of the 26 Gang.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the deep-rooted gangsterism challenge that continues to threaten safety within correctional facilities.

“The Department has been implementing a comprehensive Gang Combating Strategy focusing on intelligence-led operations to detect and neutralise gang influence, enhanced staff training to identify and prevent gang mobilisation, stricter internal controls to close security loopholes, and expanded rehabilitation and reintegration programmes offering inmates education, vocational training, and psychological support to break free from gang culture.”

Thobakgale also announced the appointment of Ntomboxolo Kungune as the new Area Commissioner for Pollsmoor. 

“Her extensive experience, most recently as Area Commissioner of Drakenstein, will be invaluable in steering this Management Area toward renewal and improved performance. The team deployed by Head Office on September 29 will remain on site to sustain the momentum, oversee the implementation of corrective measures, and guide the transition toward a secure, compliant, and rehabilitative environment.”