By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has confirmed the death of an inmate in Mangaung Correctional Facility in the Free State.
Fullview understands the inmate has committed suicide.
Spokesperson for the department Singabakho Nxumalo said: “This unfortunate incident occurred at Mangaung Correctional Centre. At this time, personal details of the deceased cannot be disclosed as the family is being notified.”
The department has appealed for patience and understanding as it ensures proper procedures are followed with respect to the family’s privacy.
“The office of the national commissioner has directed that a thorough investigation be undertaken to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, “he said.
Mangaung Correctional Centre is the prison notorious killer and rapist Thabo Bester escaped from.
Bester escaped on May 3 2022 with the help of prison staff, by burning a body in his cell to make it look like he had died in a macabre suicide.
The autopsy report showed that the man in the cell had died from blunt force trauma to the head, not in the fire. His body smelled of accelerant, possibly paraffin, and his lungs were clear with no sign of smoke inhalation.
This suggested a dead body had been placed in the cell before the fire.
It turned out it was an elaborate ruse to allow Bester to escape that same night dressed in a warder’s uniform.
The body had been smuggled into the prison in preparation for the breakout and Bester had conned his way into the isolation cell, which was located near a fire escape. It also happened to be in a part of the prison where CCTV coverage was not the best.
He greased a few palms, from warders to camera operators, and bought his way out of prison.
But it would be months before officials admitted not only that the corpse was not Bester’s but also that they had no idea where this dangerous man was.