GEORGE NEWS - A 28-year-old man arrested for the rape of a 69-year-old woman on Monday 2 July, died hours after his arrest in the Thembalethu holding cells. It is unclear at this stage if the man died of injuries he sustained in a beating by community members before his arrest.

In a statement Thembalethu police communication’s officer, Captain Dumile Gwavu says, “Bongani Qumbu (28), who comes from Uniondale, was rescued by police in Zone 9 from angry community members after he allegedly kicked down the door of the victim and threatened her with a knife before raping her. 

"The man fell asleep next to the woman after raping her. She then called for help and the people who came to her rescue wasted no time in apprehending him.”

According to information George Herald received, the suspect received medical treatment in an ambulance on the scene and he allegedly had no visible injuries when the police arrested him.

An autopsy will be done later this week to determine the exact cause of his death.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is investigating his death in police custody.

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