The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed the unnatural death of inmate Mpho Mkhumbeni at the privately run Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC), operated by G4S.

According to Bloemfontein Courant, Mkhumbeni, who was serving a life sentence for murder since November 2014, died on March 12.

According to DCS, Mkhumbeni collapsed in his cell and was rushed to the internal hospital, where he was declared dead. However, conflicting reports prompted a full-scale investigation, launched by DCS on March 14. The inquiry has since revealed serious misconduct by G4S staff.

Investigators found that G4S’ Dedicated Search Team (DST) conducted a cell search on March 11 without notifying the temporary manager appointed by the department. Later that evening, DST officials returned to the same cell after one of them lost a backpack containing R800. During this second visit, four inmates were allegedly interrogated, assaulted, and tortured.

[WATCH] Department of Correctional Services has suspected eight G4S officials, including the director of operations, following the death of inmate on Tuesday night during a raid at the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein, Free State. pic.twitter.com/QqoEIsbxG0

— SABC News (@SABCNews) April 16, 2025

Initially, G4S denied these allegations. However, a post-mortem confirmed Mkhumbeni’s death was unnatural, caused by blunt force trauma and complications from pepper spray exposure. This led police to escalate the case from an inquest (253/03/2025) to a murder investigation (637/03/2025).

While some DST officials were suspended, G4S senior management remained active. This prompted the temporary manager to advise the controller to revoke the operational certificate of Derrick de Klerk, G4S’ Director of Operations.

Family members of Mpho Mkhumbeni from Virginia in the Free State say they are devastated after learning about his death at the G4S-run Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein. The 37-year-old Mkhumbeni was last seen by his family on Monday this week during visiting hours. pic.twitter.com/puHXFlFrJ7

— SABC News (@SABCNews) March 14, 2025

The suspended personnel include:

• Operations manager Anneke la Grange
• Security supervisor Ida Malangabe
• DST officials Mojalefa Petrus Maarman, Boitumelo Mooi, Cedric Motshabi, Lebogang Martins, and Mosioua Tanyane

The investigation also found that G4S failed to meet its contractual obligations, with senior staff neither reporting nor intervening during the incident. Their denials have been deemed unconvincing, and attempts to conceal the truth have further implicated the contractor.

DCS states that the investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided to ensure full transparency and accountability.

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