A resident alerted police to a person lying on the sidewalk along Bakenskop Street in Rosedale at approximately 04:20 on Wednesday (3/12). Officers discovered an unknown woman lying on the pavement.

But instead of calling medical emergency services, police reportedly transported her to the police station, where she was placed in a holding cell, said Ipid spokesperson Lizzy Suping. 

During a routine cell inspection at about 06:10, officers again found the woman unresponsive. Emergency medical personnel were summoned, but she was declared dead on the scene. Her body was then transported to the local mortuary.

Ipid was notified shortly after 07:00. The woman appeared to have external injuries on her body, though the nature and cause of those injuries have not yet been disclosed, Suping added.

The investigation is at an early stage, and further details are expected to emerge as evidence is analysed and witness statements are collected. A post-mortem examination will be conducted in the coming days to determine the cause of death.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh