Concerns about security and record-keeping at Pollsmoor prison
According to the Democratic Alliance's Nicholas Gotsell, three inmates who were meant to be in prison have not been behind bars.
Pollsmoor Prison in Tokai, Cape Town. Picture: Google Maps
CAPE TOWN - Security and record-keeping of inmates at the Pollsmoor Maximum Security Prison are being called into question.
According to the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Nicholas Gotsell, three inmates who were meant to be in prison have not been behind bars.
One inmate has since been accounted for after he was arrested for robbery in Table View last month.
READ: Juveniles at Pollsmoor prison lodge complaints with MPs
Gotsell is demanding answers from the Minister of Correctional Services.
"The DA is demanding urgent answers from the Minister of Correctional Services after it was confirmed that Xolani Du Preez who is meant to be serving an 11-year sentence for the brutal murder of a young woman, was recently caught robbing a table view resident of their cell phone, whilst he should’ve been behind bars."
Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald said the matter is under investigation.
"I can confirm that I did receive the letter from the member on Monday. I immediately asked my office to enquire with the Department of Correctional Services, they supplied the answers."
INMATES BEHIND BARS
Groenewald has confirmed that three inmates who had previously been unaccounted for are now behind bars.
The three were originally held at Horizon Child and Youth Care Centre but were transferred to Pollsmoor Juvenile Centre in 2024.
Two of the prisoners were convicted for violent crimes such as murder and rape.
According to Gotsell, one of the prisoners was released from Drakenstein Correctional Centre in February this year, while the other was booked out to go to court in December 2024.
He said, according to prison records, they were never checked back into Pollsmoor Prison.
Groenewald said the apparent lapse in security will be investigated.
“These three people are in our correctional facilities, the allegations made by the member now will properly be investigated to get all the correct facts and after that I will respond to the matter.”