Update

GEORGE NEWS - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has confirmed that it will not be investigating the death of a 62-year-old man who was found unresponsive in a holding cell at Thembalethu police station earlier this month.

According to Phaladi Shuping, the Deputy Director of Communications and Marketing at IPID, findings indicate that the man died of natural causes. “There were no external or internal injuries, and there is no evidence of negligence on the part of the police,” Shuping said.

The man was discovered unresponsive in his cell on Wednesday morning, 4 February. It is believed that he suffered from heart complications. Police subsequently opened an inquest docket to formally investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.

Southern Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies previously confirmed that the deceased had been arrested in Caledon the day before on a charge of theft involving approximately R90 000. 

He was transported to George by police and detained at Thembalethu police station, where he later died.

At the time, police reported the matter to Ipid, in line with standard procedure when a death occurs in police custody. 

However, following its assessment, Ipid has now confirmed that it will not pursue an investigation, as no signs of foul play or police misconduct were found.

The inquest docket opened by police remains part of the formal process to record the death, but no criminal investigation is expected to follow based on the current findings.

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