The Vrygrond community held a protest outside the Muizenberg police station on 12 August 2026, demanding a provincial investigation into the death of 42-year-old Cebisa Silwana. Silwana collapsed and was declared dead by paramedics at the station on the night of 8 August 2026 after police had transported her from her home to de-escalate a domestic dispute.
Official Police Response And Internal Investigation
Provincial police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that an inquest has been registered to determine the exact cause of death. He stated that the District Commissioner of the Wynberg Cluster has appointed a team to conduct an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct regarding the police members involved in the incident.
An investigation is currently ongoing and very sensitive. The District Commissioner of Wynberg Cluster appointed a team to investigate the allegations internally against the member involved.
Police maintain that Silwana was not in formal police custody at the time of her death, but had been brought to the station for her own safety following an altercation at a house. Reports of officer intoxication and claims that the family were treated with hostility remain unverified and are currently being checked by investigators.
Community Demands And Local Reaction
The family and residents handed over a memorandum on 13 August 2026 formally requesting that the investigation be removed from the local station’s jurisdiction to ensure impartiality. Local ward councillor Mandy Marr, who attended the gathering, highlighted the growing frustration within the community regarding the conduct of the officers involved.
The community is calling for the officer to be removed. I urge everyone to stay calm and allow the processes to take place.
The matter will continue to be monitored as the internal probe proceeds and the formal inquest into Silwana’s death remains active. Further updates are expected once the provincial authorities provide a response to the community’s memorandum.