PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A Plettenberg Bay family is seeking answers from the police on the death of Morris Ngene (53) while in custody, after allegedly falling down some stairs at the Plettenberg Bay Police Station.
He was taken to Knysna Provincial Hospital where he died at 14:00 on Sunday 30 November, according to information received from the family. The family was told he had suffered a stroke.
The family was informed about his death on Monday 1 December.
Ipid investigation
Lizzy Suping, spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), confirmed the directorate was investigating this case.
Suping said in a statement: “It is alleged that the deceased, a 53-year-old African male, was arrested on 29 November 2025 for being drunk in public and behaving in a disorderly manner. As the deceased and the other suspect were being moved into their cell at Plettenberg Bay SAPS, the deceased allegedly fell, sustained some injuries, and was given medical attention. Allegedly, his condition worsened at midnight while in the police cells, and he was transported to the hospital for medical attention. He unfortunately succumbed to his injuries while at the hospital.”
Suping said the case was ongoing.
Inquest docket
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies confirmed that police have opened an inquest docket following Ngene's death at the Knysna Provincial Hospital.
“An autopsy to determine the cause of death has been conducted already. The formal report forms part of the ongoing investigation,” said Spies.
According to his family, Ngene was allegedly arrested for drunkenness at Pine Trees in Bossiesgif at about 17:00 on Saturday 29 November, after returning from a traditional ceremony with his brother.
His brother Luntu alleged Morris had been pepper-sprayed before being put into the police van. Luntu had asked the police why they separated him from Morris, as he was taking him home and they were near their house.
Trauma
Police officers allegedly said they were taking him to the police station to give him a “place to sleep”.
In spite of the investigation being launched into Ngene’s death, the family says there are a number of unanswered questions and they allege police negligence.
The family were told that a doctor at Knysna Provincial Hospital indicated after an autopsy that Ngene died of a stroke. The family says “nothing has been said” about the alleged bruises on his body.
Sally Ngene, Morris’ sister, said the family had to go through much trauma - being asked to go to Knysna to identify his body in hospital.
She said there were allegedly a few police officers present at the time of Morris’ alleged fall, but they have been told information cannot be released because of the ongoing investigation.
Key to this is CCTV footage, she claims. They have been told that this footage was in George and was unavailable.
“There are still so many questions we need answers to,” said Sally.
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