THE mother of Katlego Bereng (32), whose body was found in a cell, burnt beyond recognition, in the Mangaung Correctional Centre, was in a critical state during her son's memorial service at Mohube Tumelo Hall in Bloemfontein, Free State, on Thursday, 4 May.
Katlego's mum, Monica Matsie, became heartbroken immediately after she entered the venue where Bloemfontein Celtics' supporters held the memorial service of her deceased son.
The Bloemfontein Celtics' supporters started the memorial service with emotional songs, and all family members, including Katleho's father, Batho Mpholo, and Aunt Mantsane Bereng, were devastated.
Katleho was a branch deputy chairman of Bloemfontein Celtics' FC before his departure. He was described as a leader. His body was found charred beyond recognition in cell 35, which Thabo Bester used.
He was allegedly claimed by Bester's controversial girlfriend, Dr Nandipha Magudumana, from the state mortuary in Bloemfontein primarily to aid Bester's escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre, where he was serving life imprisonment.
Addressing the mourners during the memorial service, the aunt, Mantsane Bereng, said the family hasn't been coping well since the news of Katleho.
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"What broke our hearts even more is the manner he was brutalised, and his body was burnt and used for helping a convicted prisoner to escape custody," she said.
The family has disputed the police preliminary report that says Katleho collapsed and later died in hospital.
They strongly believe that he was purposely brutalised, and his body used for Bester's escape.
However, the family has requested space to mourn as they prepare for the funeral.
Provincial Department of Health MEC Mathabo Leeto has confirmed that internal investigations have been launched to find the truth about how Katleho's body was claimed from the government mortuary.
"The implicated officials will face a serious disciplinary measure if investigations find that the body was unlawfully claimed," she said.
