Cape Town – The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched an investigation after a 57-year-old woman was discovered dead inside a holding cell at Rosedale Police Station in Upington.
The woman had been taken into custody after police responded to a call about someone lying unresponsive on a sidewalk in the early hours of the morning.
As reported by Algoa FM, police officers took the woman to the station shortly after 3am.
During a routine inspection just after 6am, she was found unresponsive in the cell.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping told the station that paramedics were called but declared her dead on the scene.
Suping said investigators observed visible marks on the woman’s body.
“External injuries were noted, and a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” the report quoted her as saying.
According to EWN, IPID has confirmed that the matter is now under active investigation, and the post-mortem will determine whether the injuries were sustained before or during her time in custody.
The watchdog is also gathering statements from all officers on duty at the time.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
