The grim corridors of Pollsmoor Remand Correctional Facility in Tokai, Western Cape, echoed with violence on Wednesday morning, when two inmates were killed and several others, including officials, were injured during a brutal stabbing incident that shook the historic prison to its core.
Pollsmoor, long infamous for its overcrowded cells and its tangled web of prison gangs, erupted into chaos when inmates allegedly turned on correctional officers during routine operations.
What began as a sudden assault quickly escalated into a deadly confrontation that left bloodstains on the same floors where Nobel Prize-winning liberation hero Nelson Mandela once walked — a haunting reminder of how easily the prison’s fragile calm can shatter.
Attack on officers triggered incident
According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the violence broke out in the morning hours as officers attempted to contain a stabbing attack directed at them.
“Officials were attacked, and force had to be used to restore order,” said DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo.
“Two inmates sadly lost their lives. And those injured were transported to hospital for medical treatment. Calm has since been restored.”
The department confirmed that police have been called to the scene. And that an internal investigation is underway to determine what triggered the deadly clash.
“The national commissioner has strongly condemned the attack. He described it as unwarranted and deeply saddening,” Nxumalo added.
“The department extends its condolences to the families of the deceased. And it assures the public that safety measures have been reinforced.”
Historical facility now centre of violence
Pollsmoor’s history is steeped in paradox — a place that once held political visionaries now frequently finds itself overrun by violence born of desperation. Designed for around 4,000 inmates, it has often held nearly double that number. With gang factions like the 26s, 27s, and 28s ruling through fear and vengeance.
Inmates have long complained about inhumane conditions and delayed justice. The Western Cape High Court affirmed this in December 2016 when it ruled that Pollsmoor’s remand section was operating at up to 300% of its approved capacity.
The court found that the overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and unsanitary cells violated inmates’ constitutional right to dignity. It ordered the DCS to reduce overcrowding within six months.
Despite this landmark judgement, conditions have remained volatile. Recurring reports of violence, disease, and despair continue. Wednesday’s bloodshed stands as a grim reminder that nearly a decade later, Pollsmoor still teeters on the edge between control and collapse. A place where punishment often outweighs rehabilitation.
As investigators comb through the blood-soaked evidence, the tragedy serves as yet another chapter in Pollsmoor’s dark and defiant legacy. A reminder that behind the towering walls and barbed wire, the war for survival never truly ends.
