This follows a presentation by the department of correctional services (DCS) to parliament on Tuesday (9/9), focusing on unnatural inmate deaths at various correctional centres, including Mangaung, Goodwood, and Oudtshoorn.

The committee was left deeply disturbed after it emerged that G4S and its employees actively concealed information and distorted reports during the investigation into the death of Mpho Mkhumbeni (39), an inmate serving a life sentence for murder, who died under suspicious circumstances on 12 March. It is understood G4S only submitted a report on the incident last week, despite repeated requests from the department since March.

This delay, combined with evidence of obstruction, prompted committee chairperson Kgomotso Anthea Ramolobeng to declare that the public-private partnership between the DCS and G4S must end. “G4S is acting as a law unto themselves.”

‘Refusing to take responsibility’

“Their refusal to provide reports about the March incident to the DCS, only complying on 4 September, amounts to refusing to take responsibility.” 

According to testimony presented on Tuesday, Mkhumbeni was subjected to severe abuse on 11 March during an unsanctioned search operation conducted after a planned drill. 

Mangaung Correctional Centre head Patrick Mashabathakga, appointed on 23 March following the 2022 Thabo Bester escape case, told parliament he had not been informed of the operation and had since been undermined by some G4S officials.

Mashabathakga detailed how Mkhumbeni sustained blunt force trauma and complications from pepper spray exposure. The inmate, who suffered from asthma, collapsed in his cell a day later and was pronounced dead after a brief examination.

A post-mortem confirmed injuries consistent with assault.

The committee also heard G4S allegedly coached staff on how to document the incident and advised them to assault the inmate on parts of the body that would not show marks. 

Pre-drafted statements were reportedly handed to staff to ensure consistent versions of events.

“Throughout the investigation, G4S and its employees sought to conceal the truth and obscure the investigation. This is tantamount to defeating the ends of justice,” said a committee member.

Ramolobeng also rejected G4S’s recent requests to appear before the committee. “You do not deserve to be summoned.

“Which information do you want to protect that is already public knowledge? The committee has oversight over the DCS.

‘We want answers’

“We called the department to brief us. Whoever the DCS invites to be part of the briefing is not up to us. We want answers from the DCS.” 

On the same day as the parliamentary briefing, four G4S wardens from Mangaung Correctional Centre appeared in court on charges related to Mkhumbeni’s death. They are accused of assaulting and torturing the inmate over a misplaced R800. The matter was postponed to 9 October for further investigation. The wardens were arrested on 22 April. 

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi