Details emerge from Pollsmoor Prison attack that killed three inmates

The National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale has revealed shocking details of the gang-related stabbing at Pollsmoor Prison a week ago, where three inmates lost their lives and two correctional officers injured.

According to the Department, the attack occurred shortly after breakfast when remand detainee Bonginkosi Jali, 46, requested to use the toilet. Two other detainees Ricardo Krotz, 28, and Andre Gouws, 22 were cleaning the passage at the time. All three were armed with sharpened objects.

During a media briefing held on Tuesday, Thobakgale gave a blow by blow account of the attack.

“The assault began when Jali emerged from the toilet facility and attacked Mr Mendo Somdyala, stabbing him. Despite his injuries, Mr Somdyala managed to run to the unit office for assistance, where Mr Wuve Rubushe was stationed. The three detainees pursued him into the office and continued their attack on both officials," he said

Back-up was called, and responding officers managed to disarm and remove the attackers. “Force had to be used to stop the assault,” he detailed.

All three inmates were taken to hospital, but Jali and Gouws died the same day, while Krotz succumbed to his injuries two days later. Both injured officials were treated at Constantiaberg Hospital and have since been discharged.

A subsequent search of Unit D3 yielded six weapons, including two okapi knives and four sharpened objects. The area remains under lockdown, the SAPS has opened an inquest docket and investigations are ongoing.

Preliminary findings suggest the attack was gang-related, with Jali reportedly a self-proclaimed General of the 26's-Gang.

“The assault appears to have been a deliberate act of defiance, an attempt to reassert gang dominance in response to the Department’s renewed enforcement of discipline and order,” he added.

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

The Commissioner said his last visit to the Pollsmoor Management Area was on September 29 2025 when he introduced a team deployed by Head Office, tasked with stabilising the Pollsmoor Remand Detention Facility.

He added that these interventions were necessary to reassert authority and correct poor compliance.

“However, it is important to acknowledge that such changes, while essential, disrupted entrenched practices and illicit networks that had thrived in the absence of proper control. This inevitably provoked resistance and resentment, creating tensions that, regrettably, culminated in the incident of 29 October 2025.”

To strengthen leadership, Ntomboxolo Kungune has been appointed as the new Area Commissioner for Pollsmoor, following her previous role as Area Commissioner of Drakenstein.

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Cape Argus