Numbers Gang
The Numbers Gang is a prison gang in South Africa. Originally founded by miners in kwaZulu-Natal, it is now active in almost all prisons in the country. One of its strongholds is Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.
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Origins edit
The Numbers Gang originated from gangs founded by Zulu, Mpondo and other black South African miners in kwaZulu-Natal.
According to legend, its predecessor was a gang founded by the Zulu Nongoloza and the Mpondo Ngeleketshane. It originated with 15 men, but the gang split into 8 who followed Nongoloza and 7 who rejected him, known as the 28s and the 27s respectively (each was known for the 2 men who founded the gang). They ended up in prison, where they encountered a group of 6 gamblers. These would become the 26s, and they were tasked with running gambling and smuggling rackets. Together, the 3 groups became the Number.
In the 1980s the Numbers recruited mandrax (methaqualone) dealers into the gang. These dealers were exempted from gruesome entry procedures to allow the gang access to their supplies from outside prison. Prior to the arrival of mandrax, the Number had been largely uninterested in relations with street gangs, and affiliations had ceased if Numbers left prison.
Structure edit
28s edit
The 28s are the Number's fighters, responsible for defending the 27s and 26s from rival gangs. Reflecting this role, they use military ranks. They are considered to be the senior branch of the gang, with its leadership controlling the 27s and 26s. Within the 28s there is the blood line, which is tasked with combat, and the white line, which assists the blood line. 28s also control food distribution to the other branches. In order to be promoted, a 28 must stab a warder.
27s edit
The 27s enforce gang law and assassinate warders who refuse to cooperate with the Number. Not much is known about them due to their oaths of silence.
26s edit
The 26s run the Number's businesses. 26s are generally tasked with cleaning work around cells and offices.