Cape Times reports that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating the death of a sex worker while in police custody at Mowbray police station in April.
This after the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce, Sisonke, the National Movement of Sex Workers and the Triangle Project called for an investigation into the death of Robyn Montsumi. Ipid spokesperson Sontaga Seisa advised: “We received this death in police custody note of a 39-year-old woman in Mowbray police station. Our investigation is ongoing. Nobody has been arrested or held responsible for the death of the woman.” In a statement, the organisations said the circumstances of Montsumi’s death had raised questions. She was arrested for alleged possession of drugs and detained at the police station on 9 April. Contrary to expectations, Montsumi was not released on bail in terms of the lockdown regulations. Her partner was later told that she had hanged herself. “Robyn was a sex worker and part of the LGBTQI+ family - marginalised key populations whose deaths and violations are often ignored. We celebrate her life, mourn her passing and want to honour her memory by giving her the justice she deserves,” the organisations stated.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Isaacs at Cape Times
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