A police constable has appeared in court following his arrest for allegedly twice raping a 26-year-old female detainee in an empty cell at the Mfuleni police station.
An Mfuleni police constable accused of twice raping a 26-year-old female detainee in a cell appeared in the Blues Downs Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The incident allegedly happened in the early hours of Friday November 29, according to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).
The woman claimed to have been raped by the accused in an empty cell before being taken back to her cell where she was locked up with seven others, said Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping.
The alleged victim, who had been detained on allegations of kidnapping and attempted murder, had made the accusation to police officers who had started their shift in the morning, said Mr Shuping.
Provincial police commissioner Major General Thembenkosi Patekeli said it was shocking that a person could be raped and sexually assaulted at a place where she should feel safe and protected.
“The matter is handled by Ipid, and the officer has been suspended. We should be wearing this police uniform with dignity and pride because we have been sent by the community to serve them and not to hurt them.
“It is unacceptable that our people are victimised by the very same people that are meant to protect them,” he said.
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