Trial of five prison wardens accused of murdering inmate begins

The trial of five prison wardens accused of murdering an inmate will begin on Tuesday before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.

The matter dates back to 2022, where the wardens allegedly beat the prisoner to death at the Johannesburg Prison.

It’s understood that Dumisani Ngwenya was involved in a fight with another inmate at the prison when the five wardens intervened.

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It is alleged the wardens took turns beating up the inmate in full view of other prisoners, who are now witnesses in the matter in court.

Ngwenya was hospitalised and later succumbed to his injuries.

The five men were arrested and charged with murder; however, they were each released on R2,000 bail.

In 2025, the Department of Correctional Services told EWN that the officers had all returned to work despite facing murder charges.