South African
Police Service Cop arrested for allegedly raping a woman at a North West court
17.8.2018
04:51 pm
62
ANA
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) on Friday said
it had arrested a South African Police Service (SAPS) sergeant, based at North
West Vispol, for allegedly raping a woman who was appearing in court on a theft
charge.
“The alleged rape occurred at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on 13
August. It is alleged that the 17-year-old victim was appearing in the said
court on a theft charge of shoplifting,” the police watchdog’s national
spokesperson, Moses Dlamini, said.
The woman said that when her case was adjourned in court, she was taken
to a room where the policeman demanded sex and, upon refusal, the officer
threatened to influence the prosecutor to slap her with a lengthy sentence. The
policeman then allegedly raped the detainee in that room.
“This happened after the suspect had separated the victim from other
detainees on the pretext of taking her to rectify an incorrect court date. Ipid
conducted the investigation and arrested the suspect on a charge of rape. The
suspect handed himself over to Ipid and was arrested in the presence of his
legal representative,” said Dlamini.
“He appeared at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on 17 August on a
charge of rape. He was released on R500 bail with the condition that he must
not interfere with witnesses.”
The case was remanded to October 30.
Ipid has also made a recommendation that the SAPS initiate disciplinary
action against the police officer.
