Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(S.Afr. Und.) an outsider, a convict who is not affiliated to a prison gang; thus frans(e) adj., outsider.

1978		East Province Herald 6 Feb. n.p.: Six of the seven [...] pleaded not guilty of murdering [...] a ‘cell frenchman’ (a prisoner who did not belong to a gang in gaol) [DSAE].
1984		Cape Times 14 Jan. n.p.: The deceased told us he was a ‘frans-man’ (a person who does not belong to a gang) [...] gave the order for all the fransmanne to put their heads under their blankets [...] They added ‘the one who moves his head will also die.’ [DSAE].
1984		East Province Herald 19 June n.p.: You’ll be a skoon Frans Mafia kid (an outsider becoming a junior member) [...] Remember there are also the Franse people (outsiders). You will respect them [DSAE].