THE family of a 23-year-old man from Danganya in Umgababa who died after allegedly being beaten at a rehabilitation centre is demanding answers, saying it is dissatisfied with the explanation provided by the facility.

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Mduduzi Luthuli died while admitted at Discipline Boot Camp SA in Richmond, where he had spent about two weeks undergoing rehabilitation for heavy drug use and anger-related issues. In a statement issued after his death, Discipline Boot Camp SA said Luthuli had allegedly been caught attempting to escape from the facility with other patients. The centre claimed those involved were punished through physical exercise.

“Our team caught them, and they got punished in the form of exercising. The next morning, he was rushed to the hospital after not feeling well, and it was announced that he had left us,” the centre said in its statement.

However, a relative of the deceased, who asked not to be named, said the family was informed on January 22 that Luthuli was unwell and had been admitted to hospital. His mother was allegedly told to prepare herself, as transport would be arranged to take her to see him.

“When she and other family members arrived at the hospital, they were told that Luthuli had passed away and that he was pronounced dead on arrival,” said the relative.

The family’s concerns deepened after they went to identify Luthuli’s body at a government mortuary in Pietermaritzburg. They allegedly discovered that his body had a stitched wound on the head, a swollen face and multiple marks across his body, suggesting he had been severely beaten. The relative said the family wants those responsible for Luthuli’s death to be held accountable.

According to Discipline Boot Camp SA, the facility’s founder, Lucky Mngadi, was in the Eastern Cape at the time of the incident.

“Normally, when such things take place, the police do investigations and come back with a report. After the investigations or forensic report is finalised, we will be allowed to share what really happened,” the centre said.

Police investigations into Luthuli’s death are ongoing.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of rehabilitation centres following the killing of Luke Edwards, a former patient at Tetelestai Recovery Centre in Winklespruit, in April 2025. Four men, who were also patients and acted as monitors at the facility, are accused of beating Edwards to death after he discharged himself.

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