Vrygrond community demands answers after mom's death at Muizenberg police station

The Vrygrond community marched outside Muizenberg police station on Thursday, demanding answers and accountability regarding the death of 42-year-old Cebisa Silwana. Her family firmly rejected claims that she had been faking her illness when she became seriously unwell at the station. Police reported that Cebisa was brought to the station for her own safety following an altercation at a house on Saturday night, where she subsequently collapsed and was pronounced dead by paramedics.

Cebisa's sister, Neliseka Silwana, told the Daily Voice that Cebisa had nothing to do with the family dispute and was actually asleep when police arrived at their home. She stated that Cebisa was a mother of three who had recently recovered from a C-section following a stillbirth at eight months, just two weeks prior. Neliseka explained that an argument arose between another sister and their sister-in-law over comments made on WhatsApp statuses.

The altercation led to police involvement, with Neliseka recounting that they barged into their home, banging and pushing on the door. Cebisa awoke during this confrontation and suggested resolving the matter themselves, but an officer attempted to handcuff her despite the family's explanation that she had recently undergone surgery.

The family had accompanied Cebisa to the police station, and Neliseka noted that her condition worsened while there. She attempted CPR and water administration but found no pulse. The officer in charge dismissed her claims, alleging that Cebisa was acting to go home. Neliseka called for an ambulance, and the peaceful protest followed, which handed over a memorandum to the Provincial Office, requesting the investigation be taken over by the Provincial Office as it was not being treated with sufficient urgency.

Provincial police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed the memorandum and stated that an ongoing investigation was being conducted internally against the officer involved. Captain van Wyk also mentioned that the District Commissioner of Wynberg Cluster had appointed a team to investigate the allegations against the officer in question.