DA raises 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
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been amended to reflect the correct response from Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald.
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.
The three were originally held at the Horizon Child and Youth Care Centre but were transferred to the Pollsmoor Juvenile Centre in 2024.
READ: Juveniles at Pollsmoor prison lodge complaints with MPs
Two of the prisoners were convicted for violent crimes such as murder and rape.
Gotsell said that, according to prison records, they were never checked back into Pollsmoor Prison.
Gotsell is demanding answers from the minister of correctional services after one of the inmates was arrested for robbery in Table View in April.
"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 was under investigation.
"The Department of Correctional Services, they supplied the answers and what they said is that these three people are in our correctional facilities. The allegations made by the member now will be properly investigated to get all the correct facts and after that I will respond to the matter."