Prisoners of poverty: unaffordable bail keeps thousands of people behind bars
GroundUp | 07.09.2026 17:49
Ravona Solomon was arrested and charged with possession of drugs. She was granted bail of R1,000 but could not afford it. The magistrate reduced it to R800 but still it was not within her means. She spent three months in Pollsmoor Prison until the Bail Fund paid her bail. The charges against her were eventually withdrawn.
