Correctional Services Investigate Deaths of Inmates Daniel Montoya and Mpho Mkhumbeni from Pepper Spray and Blunt Force Trauma

The Department of Correctional Services is investigating the deaths of inmates Daniel Montoya and Mpho Mkhumbeni at separate correctional facilities in South Africa. Montoya died at a Buckeye facility, with the circumstances still under investigation. Mkhumbeni, who was serving a life sentence at Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State, died last month from causes determined to be unnatural. Officials confirmed that Mkhumbeni's death was a murder resulting from complications due to pepper spray exposure and blunt force trauma. Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale and department spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo have briefed the media on the findings, emphasizing that Mkhumbeni's death was not from natural causes.