THE Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating the death of a suspect at the Manenberg cop shop in Cape Town on Monday, 6 November.
The suspect was allegedly arrested for theft on Sunday, 5 November. His body was found in the police cells the following day.
Ipid spokesman Phaladi Shuping said they are still trying to establish the suspect's cause of death.
“The deceased was arrested on allegations of theft on Sunday. He was apparently found dead in the holding cell on Monday. It is alleged that he used a jacket to hang himself. The matter was reported to Ipid. They are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death,” said Shuping.
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According to sources, the man was found hanging from his jacket which was tied to the iron bars of his cell. A cop who had gone to check on him got the shock of his life and rushed back to inform other cops.
This is not the first time suspects allegedly killed themselves at cop shops.
In June 2020, murder suspect Sakhiwo Mbonyongwana was found dead inside police cells at Khayelitsha cop shop after he was arrested in connection with the murder of his 36-year-old girlfriend.
In December 2021, assault suspect Wayne Thomas (27) allegedly committed suicide after he was left alone in one of the offices at Bellville SAPS with his hand cuffed to the burglar bar.
