The prisoner was allegedly stabbed multiple times with a sharp object. Police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, tells OFM News that the 26-year-old was first taken to a local medical facility centre for treatment but was later transferred to the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein where he is said to have passed away.

Makhele adds the police have since opened a case of murder at the Bloemspruit Police Station. The Department of the Correctional Services (DSC) is yet to comment following an enquiry by OFM News.

The deceased was attacked on Saturday 23 January 2021 at about 08:45. The victim passed on at about 15:00 at the hospital. Makhele further adds that an investigation into this matter is continuing.

Meanwhile, the British multinational security services company G4S, which is in control of the prison, has since indicated to OFM News that the Correctional Services Act prohibits anyone other than the DCS to comment in respect of operational or security matters.

OFM News in February 2020 reported on the North Gauteng High Court’s judgment in relation to a report regarding the prison.

The judgment pertained to a report which looked into the serious allegations, which were first revealed by the Wits Justice Project in 2013, of prisoners being tortured, assaulted and electro-shocked at the G4S-run maximum security prison, as well as the potential breach of contract between the parties involved.

The judgment followed a petition by the Wits University’s Centre for Applied Legal Studies (Cals) to have access to a report since 2015.

OFM News