The mysterious death of Abraham Wilson, a man linked to the notorious 28s gang and accused of being an associate of Ralph Stanfield, has raised serious concerns after reports emerged that he was beaten during a raid at Pollsmoor Prison.
The Daily Voice has reported that Wilson, who was facing serious charges connected to gang activities, passed away early Friday morning, and his family was informed over the weekend.
Wilson, a resident of Valhalla Park, had been incarcerated while awaiting trial for his alleged involvement in a shooting attempt on Joel Booysen, the son of infamous gang boss Jerome ‘Donkie’ Booysen.
Despite his health issues, Wilson was reportedly targeted by prison officials during a routine search. Sources close to the family told The Daily Voice that he was severely beaten by the Emergency Support Team (EST) during the raid.
One woman shared her shock, sharing the events that led up to Wilson’s death with The Daily Voice: ‘Abraham was in a holding cell with other prisoners when the beating happened. He had serious health problems and had been a target for some time. The police and prison officers have been harassing him, especially because of his connections with Ralph.’
Wilson had already been in a fragile state after an earlier incident where he suffered a heart attack following an aggressive water bombing by prison officials. Despite his condition, sources allege that he was still subjected to harsh treatment by guards, particularly during raids.
‘He was sick, but they still kept harassing him,’ the family member told The Daily Voice. ‘When they raided his cell, they asked him to lie down, but because of his kidneys, he couldn’t comply. They just started beating him right there in front of others.’
The 51-year-old was thrust into the public eye in 2023 when he was arrested in connection with the failed assassination of Joel Booysen in Green Point.
The shooting, which injured Booysen but did not kill him, was just one of several violent incidents linked to Wilson and his associates. His name also appeared in a broader criminal investigation into the underworld, which includes allegations of murder, corruption, and illegal activities with high-profile figures.
The Daily Voice‘s source inside the prison claims that Wilson’s refusal to provide information about Stanfield might have contributed to his mistreatment.
‘Every time the EST raided his cell, they asked him about Ralph, but he refused to cooperate,’ the source revealed to The Daily Voice. ‘They targeted him, hoping he would give up information, but he never did. On Friday, they told him to lie flat on the floor, and when he couldn’t, they started beating him. That’s when he collapsed.’
While the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed Wilson’s death, spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said Wilson had simply collapsed and was declared dead by a medical doctor. Nxumalo denied any foul play, calling the allegations ‘nonsense,’ and stressed that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
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