Kgosi Mampuru prison warders blamed for inmate’s death

The Gauteng correctional services department has denied that guards looked on and refused to seek medical attention for an inmate who apparently suffered several seizures and later died at the Kgosi Mampuru correctional facility last Friday, Rekord East reports.

“Allegations that correctional officials looked on, and refused to take the offender to hospital are untrue,” spokesperson Mocheta Monama said.

Monama said a medical professional was called to the scene and upon arrival, found Donald Masoka (44) had already passed away.

A media report, however, stated the warder came to the cell at 18:00 then left to seek advice. A male nurse apparently only arrived at 21:00, after Masoka had died.

It further stated Masoka’s cold and lifeless body was removed from the cell six hours later, in the early hours of Saturday.

Despite the report, Monama said his department and the SAPS were conducting an investigation to confirm the details surrounding the events leading up to Masoka’s death.

“The internal investigation will determine if there was any negligence by officials and we will take appropriate action where necessary.”

“We also await the outcome of the post-mortem report to establish the cause of death,” Monama said.

Although it was also understood the inmate was set to get married the day after he died, Monama said the department had no knowledge of the wedding.

“Under normal circumstances, a formal application has to be made and approved by the Head of Centre [and] in this case, there was none.”

Masoka was serving a life sentence for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

“Our deepest condolences to his family,” Monama said.

He said it was his department’s responsibility to ensure its facilities were safe and secure.

“We will continue to maintain and provide a high standard of safety, health and a secure environment for all inmates and investigations are also expected to indicate shortcomings and assist the department to improve on its systems going forward,” Monama said.