Two inmates were killed and several others were left injured following a violent stabbing incident at the Pollsmoor Remand Correctional Facility in the Western Cape on Wednesday morning, 29 October 2025.
According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), the incident began when a group of inmates attacked officials inside the prison. DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo confirmed that officers were forced to use necessary measures to restore order and protect lives. “The situation was brought under control and calm has since been restored,” Nxumalo said. All injured inmates were immediately taken to hospital for treatment.
National Commissioner of Correctional Services, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, condemned the violence, calling the deaths senseless and unnecessary. “The loss of life is deeply saddening and unacceptable,” he said. Thobakgale extended condolences to the victims’ families and promised that the department would tighten security measures to prevent further incidents. He added that investigations were underway to determine the cause of the violence and identify those responsible.
The attack has raised new concerns about safety and discipline within South Africa’s overcrowded correctional facilities, particularly at Pollsmoor — one of the country’s most notorious prisons, often criticised for gang activity and violence among inmates.
Coincidentally, on the same day, members of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services conducted an unannounced oversight visit to the Goodwood Correctional Centre, also in the Western Cape. The visit aimed to assess the state of facilities, inmate welfare, and security practices following several reports of irregularities and inmate deaths.
Committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng expressed concern over the conditions observed at Goodwood. The committee inspected various sections of the facility, including the hospital unit and firearm storage area, and visited a cell where an inmate had recently died under what officials described as “natural causes.”
“Inmates spoke to us about illness and unexplained deaths within the facility,” Ramolobeng said. “We also learned that at least three inmates had recently fallen ill with stomach-related symptoms, which requires urgent attention.”
The oversight visit also revealed serious issues around firearm management within the correctional centre. According to Ramolobeng, there were inconsistencies between firearm registers and autopsy reports, raising questions about proper record-keeping and accountability. She further noted a disturbing case involving an official who had signed out a firearm and was allegedly involved in a suspected suicide attempt — an incident that the committee believes should be investigated thoroughly.
Ramolobeng emphasised that the committee will not tolerate negligence or misconduct by correctional officials, particularly when it compromises inmate safety or violates departmental regulations. “Correctional centres must uphold discipline, security, and respect for human rights at all times,” she said.
The twin developments — the deadly stabbing at Pollsmoor and the troubling findings at Goodwood — have intensified scrutiny of South Africa’s correctional system. Both incidents highlight the urgent need for improved oversight, stricter control measures, and better living conditions to curb violence and protect both inmates and officials.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations into the Pollsmoor stabbings are ongoing, while the Portfolio Committee has called for a full report from the Department of Correctional Services on the state of all Western Cape facilities.
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