Luzuko Pongoma

Luzuko Pongoma

A prison warder yesterday told the South Gauteng high court how prisoners died systematically after they were allegedly beaten by warders at the Krugersdorp prison.

Wilson Sello said he had been asked to escort three inmates to Leratong Hospital on the West Rand where they later died. "While I was still shocked by the death of one prisoner, the doctor came and told me that the second inmate was dead. While I was removing leg shackles from the second prisoner who had died, my colleague told me the third one had died."

Sello was testifying in the trial of six prison warders accused of killing three inmates.

Petrus Mkhwanazi, Reginald Rudidge, Khezi Mfusi, Simphiwe Shabangu, Sandile Kleinbooi and Donald Letsoamotse are accused of beating to death Thandi Nxumalo, Zamubuntu Maqhina and Simphiwe Tshabalala when they "tried to stop a gang fight" between the Big Five and the 28s.

The trial continues .