Johannesburg - The Independent Police Investigative Directorate said on Friday that it was investigating a case where a 44-year-old man, who was arrested in the Northern Cape for drinking in public, was found dead in a police holding cell.
IPID spokeswoman Grace Langa said the incident occurred on Thursday at the Kenhardt Police Station.
“It is alleged the deceased was detained at Kenhardt Police Station and was found dead between 3pm and 3.55pm (in the) afternoon with his body burnt from his legs up to his upper body,” she said.
Langa said the man was with another person who was arrested for a separate case of drinking in public.
“According to information provided, the police did not hear any sound or scream of any person and they only discovered the body of the deceased while they were conducting cell visits.”
Police found the man`s body covered in a blanket behind the cell door.
It is alleged the person who was in the same cell with the man was asleep and did not hear any sound or scream.
IPID took over the matter and investigations are continuing.
ANA