Murder
1Min
South Africa
Dec 9, 2025
IPID is investigating after a 57-year-old woman was found dead in a holding cell at Rosedale Police Station. Officers allegedly found her unresponsive on a sidewalk and took her to the station instead of calling EMS. She was later declared dead. The woman had visible injuries, and a post-mortem is pending as the probe continues.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has launched an investigation after a 57-year-old woman was found dead inside a holding cell at the Rosedale Police Station in Upington.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said police were alerted at around 4.18am on 3 December when a community member reported that a woman was lying on the sidewalk in Bakenskop Street.
Two officers responded and found the woman unresponsive. Instead of calling emergency services, police allegedly transported her to the station and placed her in a detention cell.
“At about 06:10 of the same day during a cell inspection, the deceased was still not responsive in the cell. Medical emergency services were called in, and they declared the unknown female dead in the cells and was transported to the local mortuary,” Suping said.
Suping said IPID was notified shortly after 7am. The woman, who initially could not be identified, was later confirmed to be a 57-year-old coloured female during scene processing. She is alleged to have had visible external injuries.
Suping said the investigation is at an early stage and more information is expected to emerge as investigators interview officers and witnesses, analyse evidence and review cell-block procedures. A post-mortem is set to be conducted in the coming days.
