Family of inmate who allegedly died at the hands of prison wardens demands justice

JOHANNESBURG - The family of a prisoner who was killed after allegedly being assaulted by five prison wardens is calling for justice after the matter hit a snag in court.

On Wednesday, the Johannesburg Regional Court postponed the trial, which was meant to start.

The matter dates back to 2022, when the incident occurred at Johannesburg Prison.

The late inmate Dumisani Ngwenya’s family is concerned that the wheels of justice are moving at a snail’s pace.

Seventy-five-year-old Betty Mashigo, the aunt of Dumisani Ngwenya, said she is worried she may not live to see justice for her nephew.

Five prison wardens aged between 30 and 50 are accused of beating the inmate with their bare hands and batons until he was hospitalised.

It's alleged the wardens were breaking up a fight between Ngwenya and another inmate at Johannesburg Prison in 2022.

Mashigo said she found out he was at Baragwanath Hospital on the day he was meant to appear in court for his robbery offence.

She said she was surprised to see he had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

"When I walked in, I couldn’t believe my eyes that he is in a coma, he was not moving, he is not talking. I asked them how could you bring me to someone who does not look like he is still living? I can just tell that he is only breathing because of the machine."

Mashingo walked into court holding a walking stick, limping, covering her injured knee.

The court postponed the matter for 10 September 2025 to obtain assessors.