Cell 6 | Vicious Was Here For Madness

When I heard about the cells I managed to gain access to them through the current owner of the building. Once inside, I realised that the space needed to be documented. This I did over a period of about three months; never spending more than two to three hours down there at a time, out of fear that I might become desensitised to the enormity of the history recorded on the walls.  

I captured the images alone. The place was dark and dank and in order to shoot the cells properly, I always closed the heavy cell doors which gave me the feeling of being trapped. At other times I would go down and end up reading the stories scratched into the walls, not photographing anything. There are so many stories.

One thing’s for sure – it is a very foreboding and frightening place to visit on your own.

Curiosity led me to research the history and I discovered that these cells were historically significant to South Africa. A number of political activists were held there, including: 

• 1920 – Samuel Makama Martin Masabalala, leader of the Industrial & Commercial Worker’s Union,
• 1977 – Barney Pityana, leader of the Black Conscious Movement,
• 1977 – Moki Jacob Bonisile Cekisani, president of the Black People’s Convention and Pan African Congress party member,
• Early 1940’s – John (BJ) Vorster, General in the Ossewa-Brandwag and future state president

Many people were detained in these cells regardless of status or political affiliation, for crimes ranging from drunken disorderly behaviour, theft, and murder, yet separated by gender and race.   

Their stories are now told through the graffiti left behind.