Counting Prisons

After murdering his girlfriend at their home in South Africa in February of 2013, Oscar Pistorius, a well-known Paralympic athlete, went on to be convicted in court. While he should have received over 15 years for his unlawful acts, Pistorius was only sentenced to 6 years of mixed prison time and supervised community service (Oscar). Part of the reason for his limited sentence was because of a threat made by Khalil Subjee, who is the fearless leader of one of the major branches of The Numbers Gang, called the 26s. Subjee said he would ensure that if Pistorius were to be sent to one of the many prisons he controls, the athlete would be abused or even killed because of his terrible actions and over-confident attitude (Oscar). While this one incident seems infinitesimal to the larger picture of South Africa or even our world, it illustrates the influential power that the Numbers Gang have on society.

The Numbers Gang consists of three different branches, all of which call themselves by numbers: 26s, 27s, and the 28s. Each inmate is categorized into a specific number based on what crime he has committed and where his strengths as a criminal are found (History). Just like any government system, there is a hierarchy of power, and each inmate can advance in rank within his number branch (History). Unlike most gangs, the Numbers Gang operates strictly inside the prison walls, meaning when a member is released from prison, they are usually left without family, friends, or protection, all that the gang previously provided (Johannesburg).

All together, the 26s, 27s, and 28s makes up about 80% of the prison population in South Africa, meaning they are not only some of the most dangerous criminals, but they are highly persuasive and able to recruit new members. For example, a 16-year-old boy, Ivor Swartz, was sentenced to prison and immediately threatened by the higher members of the Numbers Gang (Johannesburg). Swartz says his choice to join the gang not only saved him from getting raped or killed, but it altered his prison life in ways he could never imagine (Johannesburg). The Numbers Gang forces new inmates to join their gang and partake in their violent rituals or face injury or even death. The gang draws inmates in and provides guaranteed food, shelter, and protection from danger within the prison in exchange for the members’ loyalty.

With such a large amount of members, the Numbers Gang has been able to gain complete control in prisons, and they are so powerful that even the wardens can do nothing to restrain them. (Programmes). In fact, in Pollsmoor Prison, one of the most notorious prisons for gang and violent activity in the world, the wardens have even acknowledged to the Numbers Gang that they have almost complete control within the walls. One warden working at Pollsmoor reported that, “The Numbers control the prison. They make the decision here.” (Programmes) On top of that, to rub in their absolute power in the prisons, gang members have been known to abuse the wardens, seeing who can stab or hurt the most guards, all for their own satisfaction. It has been estimated that over 50% of the wardens at Pollsmoor have been stabbed or cut at least once before (Dangerous).

The violent gangs in South Africa’s have built their own hierarchical society within the borders of the prisons. Between their heavy persuasion on new inmates and overwhelming influence on the wardens, the Numbers Gang has become a huge threat and problem for the people and government of South Africa.

Works Cited

"10 Most Dangerous Prison Gangs in the World." Criminal Justice Degree Hub. N.p., 23 May 2015. Web. 17 Mar. 2017.

"History of the Numbers Gang." The Numbers Gang. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Mar. 2017.

"Oscar Pistorius Sentencing: Prison Gang Leader Threatens Star." Mirror. N.p., 16 Oct. 2014. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.

"Programmes | Correspondent | Killers Don't Cry." BBC News. BBC, 04 Sept. 2001. Web. 12 Mar. 2017.