The sudden death of a prisoner in the Kutama/Sinthumule maximum-security prison in Makhado (Louis Trichardt) over the weekend has left the family with many questions and people are starting to point fingers to the prison warders. 

Richard Marubini Mphaphuli (54) and five others received a double life sentence in 2005 for the murders of Maria Matibe and Daniel Mashamba. Judge George Hetisani also sentenced him to 60 years' imprisonment for robberies at Grey Cliffs Farm and at Tshikumbu Village.

According to Mphaphuli's brother, Mr Desmond Mphaphuli, he visited his brother last Wednesday (1 October) at the prison and found he had been admitted to the prison hospital in bad condition. Richard Mphaphuli allegedly told his brother that he had been assaulted by prison officials and complained of severe pain on the side of his body. Desmond stated that his brother also had bruises on his arms.

He added that on Thursday (2nd) his parents also visited Richard and he once again complained of severe pain. Richard allegedly also indicated to his parents that he was coughing up blood and that there was blood in his urine.

Desmond also stated that they were later informed that Richard had been transferred to the provincial hospital in Polokwane. When Richard's son visited his father in Polokwane, he allegedly found him in critical condition, with his face and arms swollen and his ribs were painful.

Desmond said that on 4 October, around 08:00, he received a call from Chaplain Raphalalani, informing him of the death of his brother. He said that the family members then went to the prison to acquire more information about his death. They were, however, informed that the deceased's body had already been transferred from Polokwane to LTT Rabali Undertakers.

He said that the family had gone to the undertaker and found the body there. According to him, the family informed Chaplain Raphalalani that they were concerned about the manner in which the matter had been handled. They also complained that no post mortem had been conducted, even though Richard had complained about being assaulted by warders. The family also stated that they had never been informed about the injuries he had sustained while he was in custody. 

Mphaphuli further said that Raphalalani had apologised to the family members and further indicated that he would arrange a meeting between the family and the prison management on the Monday (6th) to resolve the concerns. He said that he had received a call at 08:30 that the meeting had been scheduled for 11:00, but that the meeting had later been called off.

"As a family, we should be involved in the processes of conducting a post mortem as we already had a concern that Richard had not died of natural causes,” Desmond said. He added that they had accepted the death of their brother, but would like to have closure in the case and to know what had actually happened that had led to his brother´s death.

When approaching the SACM for comment, Limpopo Mirror was referred to the prison director, Mr Lazarus Nongwana. At the time of our going to press, he was not in the province.

Makhado SAPS spokesperson Const Irene Radzilane said that no case had been reported to them. Richard will be buried tomorrow (Saturday) at the Magau Cemetery. The service will take place at Maebane and will start at 06:00.