Two men accused of murdering 80-year-old Godfrey Thema at an old age home near Brits in the North West have died in custody.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) says Daniel Madumo (92) and his co-accused, Jeremia Mmatli (75), both facing a murder charge, died while in custody at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in the Pretoria CBD.

According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani, the murder followed a fight between the three men in an old age home in Jericho.

“According to information, 80-year-old Motsepe was coming out of the bathroom around 04:00 on May 30 and encountered Mmatli and Madumo. The deceased allegedly bumped into one of them who hit him with his crutches. His companion joined in the fight and both assaulted the victim,” Funani explains.

The victim sustained head injuries and was transported to hospital by ambulance but was certified dead on arrival.

Fumani says the owner of the old age home was notified about the fight and called the police.

The suspects were arrested in Jericho village on May 30 and appeared before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on June 3.

DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says the two accused were admitted to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre on June 3 and were still facing court processes for the victim’s death.

He says Madumo was transferred to an outside hospital on June 22, due to health complications. Mmatli died on June 20 and Madumo on June 24, he adds.

“With both accused now deceased, the court shall provide direction on what is to happen in the court case,” says Nxumalo.