The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in South Africa has launched an investigation into alleged gross misconduct at Mangaung Correctional Centre following the death of an inmate.

Mpho Mkhumbeni, who was serving a sentence for murder, died on 12 March—just one day after he was reportedly beaten and pepper-sprayed during a raid on his cell at the privately operated G4S prison in the Free State.

According to DCS national commissioner Samuel Thobakgale, Mkhumbeni sustained blunt force trauma to the head and complications from pepper spray. The raid was allegedly prompted by suspicions that Mkhumbeni and his cellmates had stolen R800 from a correctional officer’s bag left inside the cell during an earlier search.

The incident has placed the already controversial prison back under intense scrutiny. Mangaung Correctional Centre, managed by multinational security firm G4S, previously faced national backlash in 2022 following the escape of convicted rapist Thabo Bester.

Mkhumbeni’s family is demanding accountability. His brother, Bongile, said the DCS briefing left the family with unanswered questions: “Who was responsible? Who’s going to account for this death?”

Seven DCS officials have been suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation, while police have opened a murder case.

The incident adds to growing concerns about oversight and safety within South Africa’s correctional facilities, particularly those operated by private contractors.