The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Bloemspruit within the Free State, arrested 4 jail warders in reference to the demise of an inmate.
The Division of Correctional Companies (DCS) lately verified that Mpho Mkhumbeni, a prisoner who was serving a life sentence for homicide, died on account of pepper spray publicity at Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC).
“Subsequent autopsy outcomes indicated that Mr. Mkhumbeni died as a result of unnatural causes. These findings led investigators to vary the inquest docket to a homicide investigation. Additional investigations by the Bloemspruit police on the night of Tuesday, April 22, resulted within the arrest of 4 warders aged between 34 and 50 for the alleged homicide of the inmate,” mentioned police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele.
Mkhumbeni fainted in his cell and was taken to the power’s inner hospital, the place he was pronounced lifeless by a medical practitioner upon arrival.
Correctional Companies Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale acknowledged that contradicting statements rapidly emerged from additional reviews obtained by the company from the contractor and its employees. “This prompted DCS to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter,” Thobakgale mentioned.
The inquiry started on March 14. In accordance with Thobakgale, G4S carried out a cell search on the Wolds Unit, Avenue 1, Cell 6, on the night of March 11, with out informing the interim supervisor supplied by DCS who ought to have been there.
Later that night, members of the Devoted Search Workforce (DST) returned to the identical cell when an official misplaced a rucksack carrying R800. Throughout the second go to, the 4 inmates within the cell, together with Mkhumbeni, have been allegedly interrogated, assaulted, and tortured in regards to the lacking cash.
“These claims have been initially denied by the DST officers and the contractor,” added Thobakgale.
IOL Information
