Soweto mother found her son’s brain on the floor after visiting him at police station

A grieving mother in Soweto is demanding answers after her son died in police custody under suspicious circumstances.

The 25-year-old man was arrested on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition on August 4, 2023.

His mother, who has asked not to be named, said that she had heard conflicting reports about the events leading to her son’s death.

“The police told me that he had committed suicide by hanging himself in his cell,” she said. “But when I saw his body, I saw injuries on his face and head that were not consistent with suicide.”

The mother said that her son had a history of mental illness but was not suicidal. She believes that he may have been beaten to death by the police.

“I want the truth to come out,” she said. “I want to know what really happened to my son.”

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is investigating the case. IPID spokesperson Grace Langa said that the investigation was at an early stage and that no arrests had been made.

“We are still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses,” Langa said. “We will provide an update once we have more information.”

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