Correctional Services authorities are baffled by the deaths of three inmates in a fire in their cell at Odi Prison in Mabopane, North West Province, on Monday night.
Correctional Services spokesman Russel Mamabolo said that although the cause of death was still unknown, it appeared that the prisoners had set their mattresses alight shortly after lockup.
The three, aged 25, 26 and 31, were serving terms of 10 to 30 years for crimes including robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Mamabolo said the trio apparently had been involved in gang fighting earlier, but warders had defused the situation just before lock-up time. - Staff Reporter