Seven officials from Mangaung prison suspended after murder of inmate

JOHANNESBURG - Seven prison officials at the controversial, privately run G4S Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State have been suspended following the murder of an inmate.

Mpho Mkhumbeni died on 12 March, following an unauthorised raid of his cell in the prison where he was pepper-sprayed and beaten the night before.

The following day, he collapsed and was rushed to the prison clinic, where he was declared dead.

It's alleged that a member of the dedicated search team accused Mkhmbeni and his cellmates of stealing R800 from his bag, which he forgot in the cell following the raid.

In a briefing on Wednesday, the correctional services head, Samuel Thobagale, confirmed a case of murder is being investigated.

In a leaked voice recording, supplied to Eyewitness News, one of the inmates at the Mangaung Correctional Centre details what happened on the day Mkhumbeni died.

“The official left their bag inside the inmate's cell. They forgot their bag. When they found the bag, they said there was money inside (that was missing). They beat up the inmate by the name of Mpho in the evening yesterday, and then he died today in the hospital.”

MKHUMBENI'S FAMILY WANTS TO SEE JUSTICE CARRIED OUT

The family of Mkhumbeni, who was serving a life jail sentence for murder, says it will not rest until someone is held accountable for his murder. 

On Monday, 10 March, Mkhumbeni saw his son for the first time during a family visit. 

He was in good spirits, as his brother, Bongile, explains.

“He was in perfect condition. He connected with his son, whom he had not seen. When he went to prison, the lady was pregnant.”

Little did his family know that he would die the next day. 

Thobakgale confirmed Mkhumbeni died of complications caused by pepper spray and blunt force trauma to his head.

The prison has gained a notorious reputation following the escape of Facebook rapist Thabo Bester in 2022.