The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Bloemspruit has arrested four prison warders in connection with the death of an inmate.
Mkhumbeni died in early March following an unauthorised raid of his cell in the prison. It’s understood that he was pepper-sprayed and beaten the night before passing on the next day. Police said, “On Wednesday, 12 March 2025, police were notified of the death of Mpho Mkhumbeni (37) an inmate at Mangaung correctional facility in Bloemfontein. At the time, the death was believed to be due to natural causes, and an inquest docket was opened for further investigations.”
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However, subsequent post-mortem results indicated that Mr. Mkhumbeni died due to unnatural causes. These findings led investigators to change the inquest docket to a murder investigation. Further investigations by the Bloemspruit police on the evening of Tuesday; 22 April 2025, resulted in the arrest of four warders, aged between 34 and 50 for the alleged murder of the inmate.
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It’s alleged that a member of the dedicated search team accused Mkhumbeni and his cellmates of stealing R800 from his bag, which he forgot in the cell following the raid. Despite initial reports that he death was a result of natural causes, an autopsy has now revealed otherwise. “An inquest docket was opened for further investigations. However, subsequent postmortem results indicated that Mr Mkhumbeni died due to unnatural causes,” said The police’s Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said. “These findings led investigators to change the inquest docket to a murder investigation. Further investigations by the Bloemspruit police on the evening of Tuesday, 22 April 2025, resulted in the arrest of four warders, aged between 34 and 50, for the alleged murder of the inmate.” Police concluded the arrested warders are scheduled to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court today, 23 April 2025.
