Активистка Моник Мюллер назвала условия содержания в тюрьме Полсмур «ужасными» и обещала бороться за реформы

‘Horrific’: Monique Muller speaks out after three weeks in Pollsmoor Sara-Jayne Makwala King 3 September 2026 | 7:10 Activist Monique Muller said she witnessed overcrowding and poor living conditions during her time behind bars. Pollsmoor Prison in Tokai, Cape Town. Picture: Google Maps Activist Monique Muller has said spending almost three weeks in Pollsmoor Prison on firearms charges affected her deeply and made her determined to push for greater accountability in South Africa’s correctional facilities. The firearm charges against Muller, the mother of Deal or No Deal presenter Katlego Maboe's son, were later withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Speaking to CapeTalk’s John Maytham, Muller said that it had taken time both to process the experience and to clear her name. She spoke about conditions in the maximum security facility. “I don’t think there’s really a word to describe it, but I would say 'horrific'. It’s definitely not a place or a space that human beings should be in.” Muller said overcrowding was one of the biggest problems she experienced, claiming that some cells held between 100 and 120 women. She said women sometimes shared single beds, while others slept on the floor when mattresses were unavailable. “There's not a single person that is just one person on a single bed. Sometimes there are three on the single bed. And if it is too overcrowded, you have some of the prisoners sleeping on the floor.” ALSO READ: Officials face disciplinary action over Pollsmoor and Allandale security breaches Inmate complains about not getting medical treatment at Pollsmoor Prison Muller also described limited access to toilets, showers, and hot water, and said women sometimes had to start washing as early as 4 am to get through the queue before morning headcounts. She claimed the food provided was bland and sparse and that fights often broke out over provisions. "They do not supply the prisoners with enough... So constant violence that breaks out around food, people stealing one another's food. So eight slices of brown bread. The lunch meals are cooked meals, ... the best way to describe it is if you were cooking all your meals with strictly water only, no spices, no oil." Maytham noted that the Department of Correctional Services has disputed Muller’s account, but she said she stood by what she described. “I would not be putting my life or my reputation on the line coming out and spreading this false information when all any person needs to do is walk into that prison right now with a camera, and it will confirm everything I said.” Muller said during her time inside, she got to know her fellow inmates and hear the stories of how they had come to be behind bars. As a result, Muller said she had decided to use her platform to speak on behalf of women still inside. "These women have a desire to be seen and heard, and some of them understand that what is happening in there is so, so wrong, but they feel so, so helpless. And so in honouring my word to them, I will fight till the very end to make a difference because it is something I'm passionate about. I do feel like it is my duty to do something about it and use my voice.” She also said the experience had made her think about women who spent far longer awaiting trial. “If I was in there for anything longer than three weeks, I would have completely lost myself. Mentally, emotionally, I would not have come out the same person.” Get the whole picture 💡 Take a look at the topic timeline for all related articles.