Prisoner allegedly beaten to death by guards

A 28-year-old prisoner was allegedly beaten to death by Department of Correctional Services officers at the instruction of a senior prison officer at Pietermaritzburg’s New Prison, the Witness newspaper reported on Friday.

The newspaper reported that correctional officers at the prison anonymously informed it that Senzo Zepharia Mazibuko was beaten to death after the unnamed senior official had instructed the officials that Mazibuko be “taught a lesson”.

Police spokesperson Superintendent Henry Budhram confirmed that an investigation had been launched into the death of Mazibuko.

Initial investigations had revealed that Mazibuko had apparently assaulted another inmate with a padlock. He said warders then removed Mazibuko, who was later found dead on Monday.

Asked about the allegations reported in the Witness, Budhram said it could not be ruled out, but that investigations were under way.

The Witness quoted an unnamed prison source as saying: “[The senior official] instructed the members working in E-section to teach the prisoners a lesson and instructed the members to assault the prisoners with broomsticks, metal pipes and batons.”

The Witness claimed to know the name of the official and said he allegedly took part in the beating that led to Mazibuko’s death.

It was unclear on Friday afternoon whether an investigation by the Department of Correctional Services had begun as attempts to contact its spokesperson Manelisi Wolela were unsuccessful.—Sapa