Blunt force trauma cited in inmate’s death as four warders face suspension

Jail/prison

Cape Town – Four warders at Goodwood Correctional Centre in Cape Town have been suspended following the death of inmate Quinton Fortuin, who died in February from multiple blunt force injuries after a violent altercation with a prison official.

Department of Correctional Services National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale announced the suspensions during a media briefing on Thursday and confirmed that both an internal investigation and a police probe are underway.

Fortuin, a remand detainee facing charges including triple murder, allegedly attacked a warder with a sharpened object during the morning unlock procedure.

“The investigation progressed with the police and we are informed now that the death is not a natural death — it’s an unnatural death — meaning that the autopsy report has identified blunt force as the cause of the demise of offender Fortuin. We also conducted our own investigation. The incident happened on the 16th; I visited the correctional facility on the 18th to get more facts,” Thobakgale said. 

Thobakgale emphasised the need for renewed training on the lawful use of force and announced plans to improve prison security systems, though budget constraints have delayed upgrades.

Additional disciplinary actions may follow pending the outcome of investigations.

Meanwhile, according to EWN, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised the department’s actions, saying the suspension of the four warders is not enough to address systemic issues within Correctional Services.

DA representative Nicholas Gotsell highlighted inconsistencies in the department’s statement and questioned why the case was only converted from an inquest to a murder investigation after pressure from the media and Fortuin’s attorney.

The DA is calling for further suspensions and a full investigation into potential higher-level failures, urging the police to thoroughly investigate the incident.

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