KEY POINTS
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A Limpopo inmate, Ronnie Malatjie, won a court case for damages after being assaulted by prison staff at Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre.
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While three other inmates claimed trauma from witnessing the incident, their compensation bids were dismissed by the court.
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The case has raised renewed concerns about abuse in South Africa’s private prison system and may fuel calls for reform and improved accountability.
A high-profile case involving allegations of assault within the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre in Limpopo has ended with a partial victory for one inmate, Ronnie Malatjie, who was physically assaulted by prison officials.
IOL reports that the Limpopo High Court ruled that Malatjie is entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, though the final amount is yet to be determined.
Malatjie, along with his twin brother Ralph Malatjie and two other inmates, Lassy Ngwato and Dumisani Mokwena, filed a multimillion-rand lawsuit against the South African Custodial Management (SACM), the private company responsible for operating the maximum-security prison.
While Ronnie sought R3 million in damages for physical and emotional harm, his co-claimants demanded R1.5 million each for the psychological trauma they said resulted from witnessing the assault.
“The assault left me humiliated and emotionally affected,” Ronnie testified in court, recounting the events of April 30, 2021. He said the incident occurred as he attempted to attend a textile class within the prison.
Upon passing through a search point, Ronnie was ordered by correctional officer Ndivhuwo Munyai to face the wall for a routine inspection. According to Ronnie, after complying, Munyai accused him of “posing for a photo shoot” and proceeded to slap him, initiating a violent episode in which other officers joined and cornered him against the wall.
Medical records from the prison clinic confirmed that Ronnie sustained a swollen lip, a tender elbow, and a swollen forearm.
Claims of witness trauma rejected
Ronnie’s fellow inmates testified that they were standing behind the mesh gate during the incident and could see everything that happened. They said the traumatic sight of the beating led to ongoing emotional distress and nightmares.
However, the court dismissed these secondary claims, stating that the evidence did not establish a direct legal basis for compensation related to psychological trauma from witnessing the assault. Judge presiding over the matter noted that while Ronnie had embellished parts of his story, evidence still confirmed that he had indeed been assaulted by prison staff.
Correctional officer Munyai denied the assault allegations, stating that Ronnie had verbally insulted him, saying “voetsek, you are a mere guard and this prison does not belong to your mother.” Munyai added that Ronnie had pushed him and that he and other officers restrained him using approved methods without resorting to violence. “I am trained to manage my emotions. We are not allowed to assault inmates,” Munyai said in his defense.
Despite this testimony, the court found that excessive force had been used and held SACM liable for Ronnie’s suffering. The remaining claims from Ralph, Lassy, and Dumisani were not upheld.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the operations of private correctional facilities in South Africa. Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre, run by SACM, has previously faced criticism over its inmate conditions and alleged staff misconduct. The outcome of this case may prompt calls for tighter oversight and better training of correctional personnel to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Civil rights organizations have long warned that South Africa’s prison system, especially within privatized institutions, can be susceptible to abuse due to limited transparency and inconsistent regulatory enforcement.
Ronnie Malatjie remains incarcerated, serving a life sentence. His damages award for the proven assault will be determined at a later date.
