In the days when the bloodlines were still open the gold line members had a very strict diet to follow as they were not allowed to get fat. The XXVIII are distinguished by their organized system of “wyfies” (coerced homosexual partners). 28 v.s 26,raf 3 via 3"16. This task could either be the fatal or non-fatal stabbing of another inmate or warden. They fight the gang's battles. Bheki 2$6 skhothane. Bar. Number gangs are saturated with an old myth about Nongoloza which makes them unstoppable until today The Numbers Gang story holds that a man named Po became alarmed by the exploitation of miners in late 1800s South Africa. The numbers gang system is an intricate social structure with its own language, codes of conduct and rules every member must adhere to. You are an army, we are an army. The offender's anus is cut open so it bleeds, thus ensuring infection. The impact of the dysfunctional family on children. It split into two pieces, one of which fell into a river. He taught them a secret language and highway robbery. Amongst gang members, the likely apocryphal story of Nongoloza and Ngeleketshane is claimed as the gang's origin. The 28s are the blood line of the gang and are responsible for fighting on behalf of the three gangs (26, 27 and 28). They are also expected to know the "Number" to the extent that the new members are often woken up in the middle of the night and asked the "Number"; if they get it wrong they either have to have sex with any fellow brother or are asked to kill another inmate. Should a member stay in the lower ranks, he will be considered a woman and will be sexually abused until he proves his manhood. 2 Abstract Title: “I felt more at home than being at home” Authors: Arjeta Ferati and Tove Byröd The purpose of this study was to examine how different social factors and components The 26s were responsible for gambling, smuggling and accruing wealth in general. Think very carefully before answering. This man is dead, but his place in the hierarchy is left empty. The 27s are the most secretive division, and enforce gang law. Amongst gang members, the likely apocryphal story of Nongoloza and Ngeleketshane is claimed as the gang's origin.. The landdros (magistrate) will then come forward and take out his colored stamps and give the new member his approval. South Africa has eleven official languages, which consist of Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. He asked one of Ngeleketshane's soldiers, Magubane, to stay behind with him. The numbers gangs refer to themselves as ndodas (men) and refer to non-gang members as franse. The time differs as to when the groups actually got together, however, it has been mentioned that it was sometime between 1880 and 1890. The numbers gangs are well aware that the consequences of their actions will not result in a beating or the death penalty, and therefore new initiates are encouraged to stab a warden or even to attempt to take his eye out of the socket. Their pedigree consisting of elaborate but imaginary uniforms, a "law book" of codes and prohibitions, a language unintelligible to outsiders has been passed from generation to generation orally and in secret. The 26s' duty is to accumulate wealth for all the numbers. Click here to view more of Davie's work.It all started with a horse back in 1886 - a horse that went missing and had to be found or paid Ngeleketshane defended the gamblers against the 28s' sexual appetites, which was what Nongoloza wanted them for. This is what makes them probably the most dangerous prison gang in the world. The Number is God, the Number is the reason, the Number is the story, is the question and the answer. Po had informed the men that at the entrance of his cave was an old assegai, and if the men found the tip of the assegai rusted, it would mean that Po had died. The Number is everything. Po listened to both men's sides of the story. The 26s have a big membership but the 28s still stands out against the 26s in jails. A aan-aan a game of physically touching one another, played by children Abdol, Abdoltjie a male character in Coloured jokes ag member of the 28 gang ag, agga could be translated as "I mean." The 28 gang approved the boy-wives relationship (homo-sexual) among its gang members. Durban ,also known as eThekwini is one of those cities that is completely ran by the 26s by having gangs like Olova BoMpevu also known as Ama-14, Amadando, TDK Gangsters,etc. It began with Po, a man who is the embodiment of the fight for rights of all black people, who sees the exploitation of the black man in the mines of South Africa and realises that these young men need deliverance. These categories are either economic offense, sexual offence or a crime of violence. You will never do anything that reflects badly on the camp. The time differs as to when the groups actually got together, however, it has been mentioned that it was sometime between 1880 and 1890. Po allegedly befriended a young Zulu called Nongoloza who said he was on his way to the mines to look for work, and Ngeleketshane, a member of the Pondo tribe. The gang holds the offender down and the HIV-infected prisoner proceeds to rape the offender. [citation needed] The gang is divided into groups or camps called the 26s, 27s and 28s. The history of the numbers gang differs from gang to gang, however, there are a few agreements between the different gang members. The 28’s believe in Nongoloza and the 27’s believe in Kilikijan. The 28’s believe in Nongoloza and the 27’s believe in Kilikijan. Umkosi Wezintaba (The Regiment of the Hills), 1812–1899. This derives from the traditional practice of holding up an image of an inmate. The glas then approaches the new prisoner and says, "I am going to ask you a question. He will also begin to learn the history of Nongoloza and Kilikijan. The secretive nature of the gang makes their system of communicating to other prisons unknown. The franse is stripped of his juridical personhood. The new inmate's answer will determine his future in the prison. The History Of South African Prison Gangs like most underworld Culture such as the Mafia’s Code Of Omerta is shrouded in alluring mystery.. The fundamental principles remain the same; however, in modern 28 law the man who trains you is now also allowed to have sex with you. They then decreed that nobody would have to take blood to join the 28s again. … Philipp Engelhorn … Less severe forms of punishment include "klappe" (hits), which involves 10 slaps to the face with an open hand, and the "beker" (mug), which involves blows on the head with a tin cup attached to a sock. The time differs as to when the groups actually got together, however, it has been mentioned that it … This left Ngeleketshane's gang with only half of the gang's laws. The two items were divided between the two men: Nongoloza received the hide and Ngeleketshane received the rock. [2] The 26s have no private line and a wyfie may not join the gang. The message the numbers are said to be sending is, "We are what you are. They are considered to be the sex slaves of the gold line. A member moves up the ranks through the stabbing or killing of rival gangs, prison guards, or disobedient members. 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Haysom's study (1981) on prison gangs is based on Supreme Court trial records and supplemented with some interviews with ex-offenders. He stands and says to the recruit: "From today you are no longer a franse. The Numbers Gang was started in the late 1800s, supposedly to protect mineworkers. They knew that the warders would not be watched by human rights groups, so when there was a stabbing of an officer the warders would beat the gang members to within an inch of their lives. When a new prisoner is assigned a cell he will be introduced to the person in charge of that cell, known as the "cell cleaner". When a member of the silver line is promoted, the landdros takes out his green and white stamp; if the member is from the gold line, he takes out the green and the red stamps. They could possibly suffocate the offender in their bed or slit their throat. The 28’s: Rape Philipp Engelhorn … Called the Warriors, the South African gang 28s are the senior gang. This name was chosen because they had six men but also because Nongoloza wanted to indicate their inferior status. The stamps signify promotion. Other gangs established in prison, are the Big 5 gang and the Airforce gang. Legend has it that Mtjoetijies was a translator for Nongoloza, who refused to speak the language of the white oppressor. If the gang wants the stabbing to be fatal, the nyangi will give the new recruit a longer blade; if the gang wants a non-lethal stabbing, he will be given a shorter blade. Actor. The gang chose to change their habits to avoid being caught. 6 talking about this. If you want to climb 28’s ranks, you have 2 choices: sodomising other prisoners or stabbing warders. (1989). Van Onselen, New Babylon, New Nineveh, 368–397. The Numbers Gang was started in the late 1800s, supposedly to protect mineworkers. The cell cleaner will welcome the new prisoner to the cell, and will either leave him alone for the evening, or will demand intercourse. Although a member of the 26s may take a wyfie for himself, it is strictly against the laws as set out in the book of 26s. They also changed the initiation rules: they stated that any person who wished to join the 28s had to have sex with their teacher. You will never hurt your brother. The 28s were the warriors and responsible for fighting on behalf of all three groups, and the 27s were the guardians of gang law and the peace keepers between all the gangs. "Nangampela" is an isiZulu word that means, literally, "There it is, indeed! (The number is complete.). Photo: Known as Charlie in Pollsmoor prison, The Book is a 28 member with all the laws of the Number tattooed on his skin. Punishments that do not involve any harm to the offender involve the murder of a non-gang member. However, the system works only in … Pollsmoor Prison is found in Cape Town, which is at the bottom left of the map. This ritual, however, has now changed. When the 28s recruit a new member, the 28s inform the 27s who then inform the 26s. The Numbers Gang started as a prison gang with one of the most fearsome reputations in South Africa.Although they were founded in KwaZulu-Natal, it is believed that they are present in most South African prisons. The landdros carries four stamps – white, green, red and black, which signify the four hooves on the Rooiland. Nongoloza’s Legacy: The History Of South Africa’s Number Prison Gangs. Upon returning, Ngeleketshane found Nongoloza engaged in homosexual acts with Magubane. The 28s then take the new recruit to the 26s and 27s. In the 28s it is important to prove your manhood and move up in the rankings. He then checks the recruit's pulse and declares either "Die man se pols klop twee keer per jaar" (This man's pulse beats twice a year) or "Die man se pols klop drie keer per jaar'" (This man's pulse beats three times a year). [4] Die nommer is vol!" Create your own unique website with customizable templates. The piece was first published on the City of Johannesburg's website on 9 January 2008. A prison cannot have two active nyangis, for example, and if another nyangi is transferred from another prison he is considered dormant – he sleeps in the 40s. Kilikijan retaliated by saying that he didn't trust Nongoloza, believing he had added this law to the hide after half of the rock was lost. All these items went to the silver lines instead. Nongoloza demanded that the men hand over their possessions to him; they refused. There are 3 … The language they use, is a result of the diverse community in prisons in South Africa. Other forms of punishment include gang rape and what is known as a "carry on", in which the offender lifts up his arms and is beaten with padlocks, stick and cups. This Guy Went From A 28 Gang General To Starring Alongside Hollywood Royalty [Video] 14 Mar 2018 by Jasmine Stone in Cape Town, Crime, Entertainment, Showmax, South Africa. Nongoloza (born Mzuzephi Mathebula) also known as Jan Note, a Zulu African from Natal, worked for two criminals based on the Witwatersrand, Tyson and McDonald, assisting them with robbing passenger coaches or carts carrying miners' wages.Upon leaving his employers, Note sought out the area's Zulu-speaking … The 26s have historically been considered[who?] The glas will generally watch the way new members interact with other franse (non-gang members). One night when Kilikijan got back from a hard day’s robbing he found Nongoloza getting freaky with one of his men. Sections of ... Funda I nombolo la 28 Hom. One of the last things new members learn is about a position in the silver line held by a man named Mtjoetijies. Prisoners were also encouraged to write about their prison experiences, providing a number of personal manuscripts. The silver line refused, and thus the gold line declared war on the silver line. Modern members are now expected both to kill upon order of their general, as well as to have sex with their teacher. It will only be a brief fragment of the story, for he is still too junior to hear the whole story. Community. Dis page is about the secret number gangs in South Afrika. Amongst gang members, the likely apocryphal story of Nongoloza and Ngeleketshane is claimed as the gang's origin.. Nongoloza's Children: Western Cape Prison Gangs During and After Apartheid, a book written as a monograph about the gangs from prisons of the Western Cape during and after racial isolation, was written for the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation by Jonny Steinberg. For example, they were not allowed to eat eggs and were never allowed sugar with their coffee or porridge. The origins of the gang remain uncertain at best. The end of the ceremony is signalled by the new recruit being marched out of the circle. In the article below, researcher and journalist Lucille Davie, tells the story of Nongoloza, the mythic figure who established the infamous Ninevites gang. The new recruit will sleep alongside different members of the 28 gang and be told what his duties are. The origins of the gang remain uncertain at best. A fight broke out between Nongoloza and Kilkijan about the future of the gamblers. Towards an understanding of prison gangs Institute of Criminology, University of Cape Town.Cape Town, This page was last edited on 20 February 2021, at 21:32. Within months hostilities had ceased. You will never swear at your brother. They moved from cave to cave and split themselves into two groups: Ngeleketshane with his seven men who robbed by day, and Nongoloza and his six men who robbed by night. He will watch how the new prisoner deals with conflict, the way he solves problems, and the way he walks and talks. The new prisoners will be observed by a senior member of the gang known as "die glas" (the binoculars). Nongoloza decides to name the coin a "Spyker" (nail) while Kilkijan insists that they should call it a "Kroon" (crown). Just For Fun. The glas will confront a potential new recruit and give him a riddle. «God’s children», Heather Parker Lewis, 2006 -, Van Zyl Smit, Dirk "South African prison law and practice", Butterworths, 1992, Durban. The Numbers Gang story holds that a man named Po became alarmed by the exploitation of miners in late 1800s South Africa. The hospital beds were filled with soldiers from the 28 gang. Nongoloza replied that according to the hide, sex between bandits was allowed in order to avoid contact with women. 'The Cows of Nongoloza' : Youth, Crime and Amalaita Gangs in Durban, 1900-1936* PAUL LA HAUSSE (African Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand) Forms of youth organisation and culture which emerged amongst Afi-ican migrants in towns during the first decades of the century remain obscure. It is said that this is where the numbers "27" and "28" originated, with the number "2" symbolizing the two leaders. He worked with the producers of the film, which was selected as South Africa’s entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards in 2013. South African number gangs known as 26, 27, 28 are known to be one of the most violent criminal subcultures worldwide. Personal Website. For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with sixty prisoners, mainly Coloured men serving in St Albans and Brandvlei prisons. The origins of the gang remain uncertain at best. The gangs agree that the day and night would still be divided between them as it had always been. Members that betray the gang are not safe in any South African prison, as the numbers control every prison in South Africa. Upon the outcome of the trial a punishment is chosen. One notable feature of the numbers gang is that it is a nationwide brotherhood that is prevalent in every prison across South Africa. The first conflict between the two gangs took place because of this incident. He then told Ngeleketshane to travel to the mines to see if men were engaging in sex with one another. They grow up with emotional scars caused by repeated trauma and pain from parent’s action, words or attitudes. Whatever you do to us, we will do to you in turn.". The two gangs decided to embark on a joint expedition, but Nongoloza said he was sick and stayed behind. The 28’s believe in Nongoloza and the 27’s believe in Kilikijan. The gang has a very specific hierarchy, structured as follows: In the number 2s and the number 1s there is a number 1's and number 2's twelve point ring, for number 4's and 5's, but not 6's or 7's, who have an 11 point ring, unless they're number 8's, which make gang decisions according to their jurisdictions. It was decided that when a gangster broke a rule, the blood of a warder or franse (non-gangster) must be spilled to set things right. They are divided into two lines – the gold line and the silver line. Under the new system, however, the warders have become targets. The largest and most memorable of these gangs was called The Ninevites; its rank and file were lumpenproletarians—young black men who Po eventually recruited 15 young men. This change came along because of the war between the silver and gold lines of the number. It is a long and gruelling process. Producer. [citation needed], One of the most compelling messages that the numbers gang members like to send to the warders is by holding up a mirror toward the warden. You are standing under an umbrella. According to the category the prisoner is classified under, will depend on the number gang he will join. The gangs continued to roam the countryside until they both ended up in Point Prison in Durban. The two 28s are not allowed to speak directly to the 26s. 28 & 26 nazo mbhemi. I say to you, I am getting wet; I may get sick. Later Ngeleketshane told him that these men were skilled smugglers and gamblers who had helped him in his early days in prison. Enraged, Kilikijan[who?] If the new inmate says, "I will come out into the rain with you," it means that he is prepared to live like the other man; they are brothers and they will live and die together. As we shall learn later in Maud de la Forterie’s text (see pages 38 and 39), Nongoloza, the leader and instigator of the 28 prison gang first rose to promi- nence on the goldfields of the Witwatersrand. Pollsmoor prison is located in Cape Town South Africa, the southern tip of the African continent. In both cases the 26s were declared the "ruling party". After the glas is satisfied with the answer of the new inmate, he is given a task to become a member. Under the apartheid regime they feared the warders. The Numbers Gang was started in the late 1800s, supposedly to protect mineworkers. Once the stabbing has taken place all the gang members watching will shout, "Nangempela! The 28’s believe in Nongoloza and the 27’s believe in Kilikijan. Another reason a person could be a mamboza is because his position has already being filled by another member. Jonny Steinberg's The Number: One Man's Search for Identity in the Cape Underworld and Prison Gangs (2004) is a self-reflexive and sophisticated re/presentation of Magadien's life story as it is framed by crime, prison and other exigencies that have impinged on … They must focus on the number gang. After Po's death the two gangs decided to go their separate ways: Nongoloza's gang with its now eight men (including Magubane, whom he decided to take with him), and Kilikijan's gang with its seven. They communicate through the 27s. What are you going to do?" The contemporary "28 Gang", whose influence remains strong in South African prisons, ... history. Po ordered the two men to carve their daily outlaw activities on a nearby rock which would serve as a diary. In early 19th century Nongoloza tried to take over the city of Durban by recruiting men to join his gang the 28s also known as Amalaita but was over powered by the 26s influence in the city and was later overpowered.The war started by Nongoloza made the 26s more brutal and had more gangs rising that were influenced by the 26s such as Amadando, Olova BoMpevu, oMdakane ,Abafana BaseClermont ,Abafana BakwaMashu and the gangs from Inanda Township. Children who grow up in a dysfunctional family have no control over their toxic environment. The rock, however, proved too awkward to carry and one day it was accidentally dropped down a hill. A fight broke out between Nongoloza and Kilkijan about the future of the gamblers. However, the balance of power now varies from prison to prison over time. The death punishment is known as a "number one". The silver line complained that the gold line were now not doing their jobs. The first person to approach him is the nyangi. The black stamp is reserved for the death sentence. The men robbed travellers and colonial outposts of their goods. The mambozas begin to teach the new member to sabela (speak prison language). Extortion, Rape, Inmate Prostitution, Murder, Illegal Gambling, Smuggling, Robbery, Contract Killings, Drug Trafficking, Weapon trafficking. [citation needed], Relationships with franse (non gang members). An execution squad will carry out the order. The relationship between gang members and the warders is a complex and an uneasy one. The second worst punishment just short of death is to be raped by a prisoner that is known to carry HIV. They closed down the gold line and vowed that it would never be opened again. On a Sunday, the "day of rites", his ceremony is performed. The position remains open as a reminder that the 28s do not negotiate with words, they negotiate with action. The gang has a strict code of conduct and failure to abide by these rules has severe consequences for the perpetrator. This would become the pivotal disagreement between the two gangs that persists to this day. The gwenza (senior member) then places a handkerchief on the floor and slips a knife under it. Due to the death of Po, a final decision on whether sexual intercourse between men was allowed never came to pass. Schurink's paper (1989) summarises the findings of a study on prison gangs commissioned by the Department of Correctional Services. Kilkijan defended the gamblers against the 28's sexual appetites which is what Nongoloza wanted them for. 5 talking about this. Under certain conditions it is compulsory to kill a member of the Big Five gang and new gangs called raf3 and raf4 rar3 broke away from the 26 and vice versa with the raf4 28. In the late '80s a decision was taken to stop bloodlines (no stabbing). The new member has to sabela all day and night with his blackboard (teacher). If somebody learns too slowly, the punishments are severe. He is not seen as a human to the gangs. Kilkijan defended the gamblers against the 28's sexual appetites, which is what Nongoloza wanted them for. The Numbers Gang story holds that a man named Po became alarmed by the exploitation of miners in late 1800s South Africa. It is raining. The two men fought until they were both drenched in blood, and Po arrived to intervene. If he says, "I invite you to share my umbrella," he will become a sex slave and will not become a member of the 28s. The origins of the gang remain uncertain at best. The importance of language as a mechanism to help retain self respect and identity in total institutions is … After many disagreements Nongoloza finally decided that the new group would be called the "26s". challenged Nongoloza to a fight. The silver line are the female, and are the descendants of Magubane. Where you have a head of a section, we will have a general. Where you have a head of the prison, we will have a judge. At Point Prison they encountered a group of six men, led by a man named Grey, who were franse (non-gangsters). Finally the three camps were formed. There were now two copies of the gang's ways, and Po explained that the bandits must follow the rules as they had been set out from the beginning. an economically strong gang and have been brutal outside the prison's of South Africa due to the power that the 28s have in prison; however, in some prisons they have risen up against the 28s and taken control of the prison (see "general elections" below), such as in Westville. He is once again ordered to stand in the middle of the room; however, this time he is surrounded by several people. It is at this prison, that the numbers gang are thriving and are at its highest population. This is seen as a "hands off" warning to the other gangs. Chef. Schurink, W. J. Haysom, N. (1981). Two famous cases of these wars were in Belville prison (1967–1969) and in Brandvlei prison (1974–1976). But he said he could “sabela” (speak the 28s language) and he was familiar with the gang’s hand signs – lifting the thumb, index and middle finger to indicate that he was a member. Ngeleketshane found that this did indeed take place, but opinions remained divided as to whether this justified Nongoloza's act.
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