In this episode, ross kemp travels to south africa, where he meets members of the ruthless number gang jailed in cape towns pollsmoor high security prison. It won south africas premier nonfiction literary award, the sunday times alan. Five books on mandela and south africa the washington post. The general, who is the leader of the notorious numbers gang, said. According to oral gang lore, the 26, 27 and 28 numbers gangs started with a pondoland mineworker nongolaza, or jan note to the. There is a feast of good books about south africa and by south africans, from. In 20, 12% of the 2,580 murders in the province were gangrelated second behind arguments turned violent, according to. Gang membership spread from the mining compounds to the prisons, aided by south africas pass laws, which ensured that the great majority of black south african males were exposed to the criminal. Read the latest south africa headlines, on newsnow. Jul 27, 2010 urbanisation in south africa has been characterised by a history of repression and the burgeoning poverty of certain segments of the population. Oct 24, 2017 nearly 20% of all the murders recorded in western cape were as a result of gang activity. Follows one of the generals of the 28s gang as he searches for redemption in. It is the largest of the street gangs in cape town. Its highlighting of the duality of south african culture is.
Feared 28s gang leader given 7 life sentences enca. A very interesting history on the complexities and context of south africas most notorious prison gang the number. Welcome witbooi has quite a story to tell, having risen through the ranks to lead the 28 gang. Apr 17, 2007 five south african prison gangs by unknown 17 april 2007 02.
The gang holds the offender down and the hivinfected prisoner then proceeds to. Here youll find current best sellers in books, new releases in books, deals in books, kindle ebooks, audible audiobooks, and so much more. Jail is the worst place ever and if you go to prison for a long time your best bet is probably to join a gang. Inside south africa s most violent gangs the south african gang 26 s are responsible for getting cash. The 26s stab wound to the neck of a patient with 26 tattoo. A history of the marashea gangs in south africa, 19471999 athens, ohio, ohio university press and pietermaritzburg. Pollsmoor prison is located in cape town south africa, the southern tip of the african continent. Mar 14, 2018 if you want to understand the numbers gangs in south africa, you should start by reading jonny steinbergs the number one man who doesnt have to bother with that is welcome witbooi, who rose through the ranks to become the highest ranking general in the 28s. Denial and a homophobic culture means rape of male prisoners by other men remains prisons dirty secret. Numbers gang south africa prison documentary the numbers gang or the numbers gangs and associated with different numbers in different prisons is a prison gang with one of the most fearsome. He worked with the producers of the film, which was selected as south africas entry for best foreign language film at. The number gangs that rule south africa s prisons are notoriously ruthless and secretive.
Numbers gangs original fighting general south africa news. Some of these gangs include the spoilt brats, dollar kids, young americans, and dixie boys. Book24 south africa we take care of everything you need to have the trip of a lifetime with your family. On the 16th august 2010, oscar williams, a local leader of the americans gang in kewtown, a neighbourhood of cape town, was shot dead in front of his wife by the playboys, a rival gang. They are known to operate primarily in the western cape prison of pollsmoor, however it is believed that they are present in most south african prisons.
Head of crime statistics for saps norman sekhukhune. Twentyfour members of the notorious kzn 26 gang, who were sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in two brazen cash heists, one deadly, have successfully appealed against several of. If you ever find yourself in a south african prison the three speeds of gangs are thusly organized. The book a history of south africa by leonard thompson is a very good and fascinating book, it explains in vivid detail the whole entire history of south africa whether it is the neolithic period or the present daytime. Thomas, who allegedly heads the 28s gang, considered the most violent of the prison numbers gangs, is facing 160 charges along with 18 others in a trial that has been marked by 12 murders since. The second worst punishment just short of death is to be raped by a prisoner that is known to carry hiv. White south africas new dark side positive discrimination created a new underclass of white south africans in squatter camps who are vulnerable to crimes promise of fortune and freedom. Their accumulated plunder is then distributed among all three arms of the gang. A very interesting history on the complexities and context of south africa s most notorious prison gang the number. Poverty and homelessness among the young and old is a phenomenon, not only of the new postapartheid south africa, but is also becoming increasingly prevalent everywhere else. Oct 17, 2014 one of the most dangerous prisoners in south africa has vowed to take out oscar pistorius is he is sent to prison.
Dec, 2016 mix 28 gang members from south africa in prison using prison slang youtube. Gang violence is rife in south africa s western cape. If i didnt join a gang id have been raped 16yearold ivor swartz knew his only choice for survival was to join one of the brutal prison gangs. Interestingly, this arm of the gang must accumulate its wealth through nonviolent acts.
The xxvi are associated with cunning, money and obtaining other goods. Thanks to shaneez amien for her input on the westbury gangs. When planning a visit to a new country, the first thing you are likely to do is to buy a guidebook on the place. David benny moshe is a gang leader who finds himself responsible for a baby after a carjacking. The americans gang is a large street gang and organized crime group based in cape flats area of cape town. The book a history of south africa by leonard thompson is a very good and fascinating book, it explains in vivid detail the whole entire history of south africa whether it. This decision gave note the opportunity to take control of the gang of thieves. Like the hard livings gang, many smaller gangs throughout the cape flats owe allegiance to it. It happened in 1886 and it traces the journey into a life of crime of mzuzepi mathebula, who. Western cape prison gangs during and after apartheid by jonny steinberg monograph written for the centre for the study of violence and reconciliation, july 2004. May 29, 2014 gang violence is rife in south africa s western cape. If they dont get you in touch with the spirit of the place, not much else will. To survive in prison in south africa, you must belong to a numbers gang.
Nearly 20% of all the murders recorded in western cape were as a result of gang activity. The south african is an independent, no agenda and bias online news platform that gives the latest news updates. Meaning and purpose in the occupations of ganginvolved. The sabela is something which is unique to the numbers gang in south africa. The books homepage helps you explore earths biggest bookstore without ever leaving the comfort of your couch. Pharie sefali interviewed a young man who was raped in prison. Three notorious gangs the 28s, the 27s and the 26s each trace their origins to nongoloza. One mans search for identity in the cape underworld and prison gangs is a non fiction book written by jonny steinberg about south africas criminal tradition of prison gangs. Sep 06, 2012 jail is the worst place ever and if you go to prison for a long time your best bet is probably to join a gang.
Shot in the head by his own brother, hear this ex gang leaders story. Follows one of the generals of the 28s gang as he searches for redemption in postapartheid south africa. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. Meaning and purpose in the occupations of ganginvolved young. South african prisoners threaten to kill oscar pistorius metro. Gang violence is rife in south africas western cape. Known as charlie in pollsmoor prison, the book is a 28 member with all the laws of the number. The sabela consists of the words, symbols and colors that differentiate one from another. Wayne asserted that belonging to a gang was a choice that was in his best interest, as the gang could offer him resources and protection. Gary kynoch has produced a meticulously written text on the marashea gangs, a loose network of criminal organizations comprised of basotho migrants in south africa. Gang membership spread from the mining compounds to the prisons, aided by south africa s pass laws, which ensured that the great majority of black south african males were exposed to the criminal.
One mans search for identity in the cape underworld. This guy went from a 28 gang general to starring alongside. A must read for every resident of the western cape in south africa, and for anyone who. But most of all, it resulted in the birth and growth of prisons number gangs throughout south africa. There is a feast of good books about south africa and by south africans, from novels by nadine gordimer and zakes mda to. The book gives a great description of the numbers gangs, the 26s, 27s and 28s. Introduction over the past two decades, news of the strange world behind the bars of south africas. The 26s duty is to accumulate wealth for all the numbers. South african prisoners threaten to take out oscar. It is at this prison, that the numbers gang are thriving and are at its highest population. Gods gangsters the number gangs in south african prisons. The 2005 film shows the ingrained inequalities between indigenous south africans and white families, and the resulting tensions and violence.
It is the most violent prison in south africa and has the highest number of prison gangs. South africas gang capital, is pinnocks adopted city, and hes spent the last 30odd years as an investigative. Fighting the gangs of south africas western cape the guardian. It attempts to describe popular assumptions regarding these terms in south africa and in doing so it explores contested definitions, explanations and policy debates. Til the slow puncture, a form of punishment in south. In youth, street culture and urban violence in africa, proceedings of the international symposium held in abidjan, ivory coast, pp. Jul 04, 2017 numbers gang south africa prison documentary the numbers gang or the numbers gangs and associated with different numbers in different prisons is a prison gang with one of the most fearsome. Kemp learns they subject new inmates to brutal initiation rituals, who then face a terrifying choice between joining their ranks or becoming a victim. The numbers gang or the numbers gangs and associated with different numbers in different prisons is a prison gang with one of the most fearsome reputations in south africa. Nearly 20% of murders in western cape related to gang activity. Gods gangsters the number gangs in south african prisons english, afrikaans, xhosa and zulu edition on. Meet the 28s general who left the number and lived to t. Before the mid 1990s, south africa did not have a problem with organised crime. One of the most dangerous prisoners in south africa has vowed to take out oscar pistorius is he is sent to prison.
Recruits of the 26s only need to be able to scavenge for goods and who has his wits about him, wherever they are. Numbers gang south africa prison documentary youtube. Turns out, with a bit of luck, you can escape that life and succeed. A history of the marashea gangs in south africa, 19471999 athens, ohio.
However, it came at a price, as once one is initiated into the gang the only way to leave is through death or by giving ones. Introduction over the past two decades, news of the strange world behind the bars of south africa s. This brings the number of people whove lost their lives in the gang violence there to more than 20 in the last month. Don pinnocks gang town wakes you up to a cold reality. Once you decide to book your adventure with us, we arrange the details of getting you here by booking your flight andor cruise ship. Mix 28 gang members from south africa in prison using prison slang youtube. This section of the website will discuss the various concepts of the sabela in relation to the numbers gang. The number gangs that rule south africas prisons are notoriously ruthless and secretive. Head of crime statistics for saps norman sekhukhune said that 19. In 20, 12% of the 2,580 murders in the province were gang related second behind arguments turned violent, according to the south african. The 27s the 27s are an interesting subgroup to this gang. Inside south africas most violent gangs the south african gang 26 s are responsible for getting cash. South africas most notorious gang member reveals the meaning behind prison tattoos in hypnotic short documentary from groundglass groundglass latest production, numbers, provides a visually striking and previously unseen insight into the unique and violent gang culture of south africa.
Mar, 2018 the number gangs that rule south africas prisons are notoriously ruthless and secretive. Fighting the gangs of south africas western cape world. Through the story of oscars death, i try to unravel the functioning of the gangs at a. The 26s have no private line and a wyfie may not join the gang.
696 1404 281 618 574 500 83 1057 1540 1632 597 1471 1458 752 831 70 1277 368 596 314 1654 731 1488 1260 259 1204 1124 988 140 1346 191 132