More than 20 people detained in Eastern Cape police stations have died since July 2024, with many of their deaths still being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
Responding to questions at the Bhisho legislature recently, community safety MEC Xolile Nqatha confirmed 23 people had died in provincial police cells in the past 14 months, with three of them recorded at the Mthatha central police station.
Nqatha said some of the deaths were due to natural causes, but some, including that of a senior auditor detained at the Gonubie police station earlier in 2025 who was allegedly found hanged with a police belt, were being investigated by Ipid.
Nqatha told the legislature some of those arrested had died in hospital after falling ill in the cells, while one of the 23 had committed suicide.
Nqatha was responding to parliamentary questions from EFF MPL Nokuthula Mlokoti.
Mlokoti had inquired about the death of the auditor at the Gonubie police station in May, which was ruled a suicide, referring to allegations that a police belt was found around his neck.
Mlokoti had also sought answers about the death of a man in Flagstaff police custody, also in May, whom she alleged had been tortured and beaten according to the man’s family.
These two deaths “raise serious questions about systematic failures in police holding facilities across the province”.
Mlokoti said the families — who could not be tracked down by the time of publication, — had raised serious concerns about detainees’ safety in police custody.
They also felt that investigations were dragging on without resolution while the police officers allegedly responsible “are rarely held accountable”.
Asked about the status of the two cases, Nqatha said both were being investigated by Ipid, which Ipid has confirmed.
Nqatha said no-one had been taken to task about the two cases at this stage.
On Monday, Mlokoti described Nqatha’s response to the questions as “deeply disturbing”, saying it revealed “a shocking lack of urgency, humanity and remorse from both the department and Ipid”.
“It is ludicrous that five months after these deaths, families are still without answers or justice.
“Even if the deceased were accused of serious crimes, the courts exist to determine guilt, not police cells.
“As much as the death of [the auditor] was ruled a suicide, the family believes there was foul play with his death, and so do we. One plus one is not giving us two in this case.
“We need to know whose belt was used, and why is the life of that cop whose belt was [allegedly] used continuing as usual?
“The indifferent attitude of the MEC, Ipid and other officials not only fails the affected families, but endangers the public at large, fostering a culture in which rogue officers can [allegedly] act as executioners without consequences.
“The revelations by Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of KZN about deep-rooted corruption within policing find disturbing confirmation in the handling of all these cases.
“The fact that 23 detainees have died in Eastern Cape police cells in a single year, with no-one held accountable, is not only disgraceful but borders on criminal negligence.
“This undermines public trust in the justice system.”
The two deaths, “like many others in police custody, leaves behind not just grief, but financial and emotional devastation”.
“Both of these young men could have gone on to contribute immensely to improving the lives of their families and communities.”
In his report, Nqatha said three of the 23 deaths occurred in Mthatha, two in Bhityi and two in Mzamba.
Police stations in Bhisho, Cambridge, Gonubie, Ntabankulu, New Brighton, KwaBhaca, Gqeberha, Cofimvaba, Humansdorp, Cacadu, Mbizana, Kariega, Jansenville and Gelvandale each recorded one death in the period since July 2024.
On Monday, Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Suping said that in the first quarter of this financial year, 1,171 cases were recorded and were being investigated against police officers countrywide, with 138 of those in the Eastern Cape.
This compared with 183 cases registered in the first quarter of the previous financial year.
Not all the cases were related to death in detention. The cases also related to assault, discharge of an official firearm and death due to police action.
“Ipid had so far secured 15 convictions nationally, with three of them in the Eastern Cape.
“One of the three convictions is a GBV-related matter, where an officer was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment,” Suping said.
Nationally, 390 dockets had been referred to the NPA, with the province accounting for 22 of those.
DA MPL Yusuf Cassim said he was deeply concerned by the MEC’s revelation that 23 detainees had died in provincial holding cells since July 2024, saying “these incidents point to a serious breakdown in accountability within the province’s law enforcement oversight system”.
It was also a concern that Ipid, responsible for investigating such cases, “is facing a crisis of capacity”.
“With only one fully operational office in East London and 26 staff members serving the entire province, Ipid cannot keep pace with mounting complaints, and more than 1,500 outstanding cases.”
Daily Dispatch
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