DA SLAMS 'WEAK' POLLSMOOR OVERSIGHT

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) slammed “weak oversight” of criminal activity at Pollsmoor prison after cellphones, sharp objects and dwelms were seized during a raid last week.

DA MP Nicholas Gotsell said in a statement that they have long warned that the war on gangs and drugs on the Cape Flat does not stop at the prison gates and called for K9 units and body-worn cameras with independent oversight to combat prison criminality.

This follows a multidisciplinary search operation conducted at the remand section of the facility where more than 800 bandiete were searched.

Department of Correctional Services (DCS) spokesperson Singabakho Nxumlao said: “Among the items confiscated were 119 cellphones, 74 cellphone charges, 50 cable charges, 41 cellphone batteries, 34 sim cards, 81 sharp objects, 37 dagga pipes, 305 packets of dagga, 36 mandrax tablets, tik packets, cash of R363.60 and various other contraband items.”

Gotsell slammed the operations saying it is clear that the prison no longer functions as a secure detention facility but as “a breeding ground for ongoing criminal activity.”

He added: “These are symptoms of a deeply compromised environment where gang leaders continue to extort, smuggle, and orchestrate violence from behind bars.

“Without sustained, professionalised interventions, sporadic raids like the recent Pollsmoor blitz amount to little more than window-dressing in the face of entrenched criminal syndicates operating from within prison walls.

“The DA will continue our oversight and fight for the proper functioning of these facilities, which are vital to tackling the violence gripping the Cape Flats and Western Cape.”