The family of correctional-facility worker Ofentse Abel Mlambo is demanding answers following his death after he was allegedly assaulted while at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre in Tshwane.
Mlambo, who was from Soweto, was not a prisoner or inmate. He worked as a cleaner at the correctional facility. According to his family, he died on 21 July 2026 at Kalafong Tertiary Hospital after spending days in a coma.
His father, Charles Mlambo, said the family believes Ofentse was assaulted while he was inside the correctional facility on 10 July. The circumstances surrounding the alleged incident remain disputed, with the family calling for an independent and thorough investigation.
According to the family’s account, Ofentse was allegedly found inside officials’ offices at around 5:30am. They claim that he was subsequently assaulted before being taken to a cell. His condition reportedly worsened over the following days.
The family says they were not adequately informed about the seriousness of his condition. They later discovered that Ofentse had been admitted to Kalafong Tertiary Hospital, where he was reportedly in a coma.
When relatives visited him, they said they were shocked by the extent of his injuries. The family described seeing significant swelling around his face and head. They also claim that doctors informed them that his brain was no longer responding and that multiple organs had suffered damage.
Ofentse eventually died in hospital on 21 July, leaving his relatives searching for answers about what happened to him before he was admitted.
The Department of Correctional Services, however, has rejected allegations that Mlambo was assaulted. The department has maintained that its officials followed the appropriate procedures and that the family was provided with information regarding his illness and the circumstances surrounding his death.
The department has also indicated that any lawful investigation into the matter would not be obstructed. This means the circumstances surrounding Mlambo’s injuries and subsequent death could still be subject to further investigation.
For the family, however, questions remain unanswered. They want clarity about what happened to Ofentse on 10 July, who was responsible for his care, and why they believe they were not properly informed about his deteriorating condition.
His death has also prompted calls for accountability, with supporters using the hashtag #JusticeForFefe to demand answers.
The case has raised concerns among those close to the family about the safety and treatment of workers inside correctional facilities. As the competing accounts remain unresolved, the family continues to call for a transparent investigation that can establish exactly what happened to Ofentse Abel Mlambo before his death.
For his loved ones, the investigation is not simply about determining how he died, but about ensuring that the circumstances surrounding his final days are fully explained and that accountability follows if wrongdoing is established.
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