Katlego Bereng Biography
Katlego Bereng, a 30-year-old resident of Bloemfontein, South Africa, vanished in April 2022, setting off his family’s difficult search for him.
Sadly, his body was discovered in Thabo Bester’s cell after Bester had escaped from the Mangaung Correctional Center, burned beyond recognition.
We’ll go into more detail about Katlego Bereng’s life story, his passing, and his relationship to Thabo Bester in this blog post.
Katlego Bereng Wikipedia
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Katlego Mothusi Bereng (also known as Katlego Bereng Mpholo) |
| Date of Birth | Circa 1991–1992 |
| Age at Death | 30–32 years old |
| Place of Birth | South Africa (exact town unknown) |
| Residence | Bloemfontein, Free State |
| Parents | Father: Batho Mpholo; Mother: Monica Matsie |
| Children | 2 children – a boy (3) and a girl (4) (as of 2023) |
| Occupation | Not publicly disclosed; known for community involvement |
| Hobbies & Interests | Football fan, especially of Bloemfontein Celtic; composed fan chants |
| Community Role | Participated in neighbourhood watch/crime-fighting initiatives |
| Date Reported Missing | May 2022 (last seen around March/April 2022) |
| Date Body Discovered | May 3, 2022 – body found burned in Cell 35 at Mangaung Prison |
| Date of DNA Identification | April 2023 |
| Cause of Death | Blunt-force trauma to the head; paraffin found in throat (suggested murder) |
| Connection to Thabo Bester | Body used as a decoy in Thabo Bester’s prison escape |
| Scandal Impact | Exposed corruption in prison & mortuary system; sparked public outcry |
| Funeral Date | May 7, 2023 |
| Burial Place | South Park Cemetery, Bloemfontein |
| Legacy | Symbol of justice denied; remembered as a kind, loving father and leader |
Katlego Bereng’s Age
Katlego Mothusi Bereng, also known as Katlego Bereng Mpholo, was born around 1991–1992 and tragically passed away in April 2022 at the age of 30–32.
He was a devoted father of two, a passionate supporter of Bloemfontein Celtic, and known in his community for composing football chants and engaging in local crime-fighting initiatives.
He lived in Bloemfontein with his grandmother while his father, Batho Mpholo, lived in Tembisa.
Katlego was reported missing by his family in May 2022, and his charred body was later discovered in May 2023 inside cell 35 of the Mangaung Correctional Centre, initially misidentified as that of fugitive Thabo Bester.
A post-mortem revealed that Katlego died from blunt-force head trauma before the fire, contradicting earlier claims of natural causes.
His body had been illegally used as part of Bester’s escape plan, sparking a national scandal.
Katlego was laid to rest in early May 2023, remembered by friends and family as a vibrant singer and a loving, community-driven individual.
Katlego Bereng Basic Info & Family
Katlego Mothusi Bereng, born around 1991–1992, was a South African man who lived in Bloemfontein, Free State.
He was the son of Batho Mpholo (father) and Monica Matsie (mother), and spent most of his early life with his grandmother in Bloemfontein, while his father resided in Tembisa, Gauteng.
He was a father of two children, a boy and a girl, and was deeply connected to his local community.
Katlego was not a public figure before his death, but became nationally known after his body was used as a decoy in the high-profile Thabo Bester prison escape case.
Katlego Bereng Personal Life
Katlego Bereng was a devoted father of two young children, a daughter and a son, aged 4 and 3 respectively as of 2023.
He lived in Bloemfontein, where he was widely known as a passionate Bloemfontein Celtic football fan who actively led chants and supported the team’s activities.
Katlego was also engaged in community work, including neighbourhood crime-fighting initiatives.
Described by his family as loving, vibrant, and responsible, Katlego had a passion for music and leadership.
He was not involved in any known criminal activity, and his sudden disappearance and tragic death shocked all who knew him.
His family, friends, and fellow fans remember him for his cheerful spirit, community involvement, and the love he showed to his children.
Katlego Bereng Missing & Death
Katlego Bereng was reported missing in March 2022 (the family officially opened a missing-person case in May 2022) after failing to return home and disappearing from social media.
Nearly a year later, in April 2023, police confirmed via DNA testing that the charred body found in cell 35 of the Mangaung Correctional Centre following a fire in May 2022 was indeed Katlego Bereng.
A post-mortem revealed that he had suffered blunt-force head trauma, with fractures and intracranial hemorrhage, indicating he died before the fire was set, not from it; his trachea also contained paraffin accelerant, confirming foul play.
His remains were laid to rest in early May 2023, and his case sparked national outrage as his body was used to stage a fake suicide enabling Thabo Bester’s escape.
Katlego Bereng Impact & Legacy
The tragic death of Katlego Bereng had a profound impact on South Africa, as his body was used in Thabo Bester’s fake prison suicide and escape in May 2022, which exposed deep flaws in the country’s justice and correctional systems.
His case ignited national outrage, public calls for government accountability, and renewed scrutiny of prison operations at Mangaung Correctional Centre, which was run by G4S.
Katlego, who had no criminal ties, became a symbol of injustice and a victim of a deeply disturbing conspiracy.
In his honor, the Bloemfontein Celtic supporters’ community paid tribute through organized chants and memorials, and his family continues to demand justice and transparency.
Katlego is remembered not only for the injustice he suffered but also for his loving personality, community spirit, and the life he lived before being unknowingly caught in a nationwide scandal.
Katlego Bereng’s association with Thabo Bester
Katlego Bereng had no personal or known relationship with convicted criminal Thabo Bester.
However, his identity became tragically linked to Bester in May 2022, when his charred body was discovered in cell 35 of Mangaung Correctional Centre and was falsely identified as Thabo Bester’s remains.
Authorities initially believed Bester had died by suicide in a fire, but later investigations in 2023 revealed that Bester had actually escaped from prison using Katlego’s body as a decoy.
Bereng had gone missing in March/April 2022, and DNA tests later confirmed that the body found in the cell was his.
A post-mortem showed he died from blunt-force trauma to the head, and paraffin was found in his throat, indicating his body had been intentionally set on fire.
His body had reportedly been illegally smuggled into the prison, raising serious questions about the role of corrupt officials and staff at the correctional facility.
Katlego’s tragic death became central to the Thabo Bester prison escape scandal, triggering public outrage and intense media coverage.
It exposed critical failures in the South African criminal justice system and led to investigations, suspensions, and calls for reform.
Although Katlego never had any direct dealings with Thabo Bester, his body was exploited in one of South Africa’s most shocking prison escape plots.
Unknown facts about Katlego Bereng
Parts of Katlego Mpholo’s Facebook account revealed that he had a lover named Thando Boleme.
Katlego allegedly had two children, a boy who is three years old and a daughter who will turn four in May 2023.
Bloemfontein Celtic was the team Katlego supported as a devoted football fan. He also enjoyed driving fast automobiles, and his favorite was the BMW Gusheshe Alpina.
Conflicting Police Records
The case of Katlego Bereng was marred by several conflicting and suspicious police records, which contributed to the confusion, delays in identification, and eventual public outrage.
Initially, after his disappearance in March/April 2022, Katlego’s family reported him missing, but they were unable to find any record of him in hospitals or morgues, and police allegedly failed to link his disappearance to the unidentified body found in the Mangaung prison fire.
Later, it was revealed that the body used in Thabo Bester’s escape had been registered under a different name and identity, with no immediate connection to Katlego.
The state claimed that Katlego had collapsed in town and died in a hospital, but this was later disproven by a post-mortem, which revealed blunt-force trauma and the presence of paraffin in his airway, suggesting murder and a staged fire.
Additionally, the Free State Department of Health and G4S (the private security company managing the prison) failed to provide a clear explanation of how a body from a state mortuary ended up in a maximum-security prison without being flagged by police or forensic services.
The timeline of death, lack of hospital admission records, and missing paperwork all fueled suspicions of official misconduct or cover-up.
The inconsistencies in how Katlego’s remains were handled, from the mortuary to the prison cell, remain one of the most disturbing aspects of the case, and his family has publicly called for an independent inquiry and greater accountability from police and justice officials.
Remembering Katlego Bereng
Katlego Bereng is remembered as a loving father, a vibrant soul, and a dedicated member of his community.
Those who knew him described him as kind-hearted, charismatic, and always ready to help others.
His passion for football, especially for Bloemfontein Celtic, made him a familiar face at matches, where he led chants and uplifted the spirits of fellow fans.
His sudden and tragic death left a deep void in the lives of his two young children, family, and friends.
During his funeral in May 2023, mourners celebrated his life through songs, tributes, and shared memories, with many highlighting his leadership, humor, and commitment to family and community.
Katlego’s story touched the nation, and his memory now serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of systemic failure and the importance of justice and dignity for all.
FAQs
1. Who was Katlego Bereng?
Katlego Mothusi Bereng was a South African man, father of two, and passionate Bloemfontein Celtic football supporter known for his community spirit. He tragically became known nationwide after his body was used as a decoy in Thabo Bester’s escape from prison.
2. How did Katlego Bereng die?
According to the post-mortem, Katlego died from blunt-force trauma to the head. The autopsy also revealed the presence of paraffin in his trachea, indicating he was murdered before his body was burned in a prison cell.
3. Was Katlego Bereng connected to Thabo Bester?
No. Katlego had no known relationship or association with Thabo Bester. His body was used without his or his family’s knowledge as a decoy to fake Bester’s death in May 2022.
4. When was Katlego Bereng reported missing?
He was reported missing by his family in May 2022, after disappearing around March/April 2022. Despite efforts to locate him, there were no clear answers until April 2023, when DNA confirmed his identity.
5. How did Katlego’s body end up in Mangaung Prison?
That remains a central mystery in the case. The Free State mortuary system, prison staff, and private security firm G4S are all under investigation for their roles. The family still demands full transparency regarding how his body was smuggled into the prison.
6. When was Katlego Bereng buried?
He was buried on May 7, 2023, at South Park Cemetery in Bloemfontein, with hundreds in attendance, including football supporters, friends, and family.
7. What is Katlego Bereng’s legacy?
Katlego is remembered as a loving father, a community leader, and an innocent victim whose death highlighted major flaws in South Africa’s correctional, police, and justice systems. His story triggered nationwide calls for accountability and reform.
In Conclusion
Katlego Bereng’s story is one of tragedy, injustice, and national reckoning. A young father and beloved community member, Katlego lived a quiet, meaningful life before falling victim to one of South Africa’s most shocking prison scandals.
His unjust death, caused by blunt-force trauma and the criminal use of his body in Thabo Bester’s prison escape, exposed deep-rooted corruption, negligence, and systemic failure within the justice system.
Though he had no links to crime, Katlego’s name became synonymous with a call for justice, transparency, and reform.
His memory lives on not only in the hearts of his family and children, but also in the national consciousness as a symbol of a life stolen and truth demanded.
Discover more from Labaran Yau
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
