Police officer arrested for alleged sexual assault of detainees at Paarl East station

Another police officer has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two detainees inside police cells, this time at Paarl East police station.

The officer was arrested in March and was charged with the sexual assault of two persons who were being detained in their cells.

Police have since confirmed that he has made an appearance in court and was granted bail.

He is expected back in the dock in May.

Details of the alleged incidents have yet to be revealed.

Police spokesperson, Wesley Twigg, said: “Be advised that the suspect was arrested on March 27  and appeared in court where the case was remanded until May 7. He is out on bail.”

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, said the matter was in the hands of the police.

“This is a Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit case investigated by SAPS," Shuping said. 

In March, the Cape Argus reported on the case of two Moorreesburg officers who are alleged to have kidnapped and raped a woman whom they offered a lift on a farm in the area. 

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed their release on R2 000 bail. 

He said they faced multiple charges for the alleged attack including kidnapping, six counts of rape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Shuping also confirmed their arrest.

The incident is believed to have taken place on February 8 just after 10:30pm along a gravel road. 

It's alleged the victim was travelling from her workplace on a farm to her boyfriend's residence when she was apparently offered a lift by the two police officers who claimed they could take her to her destination.

While doing this, they apparently raped her more than five times and forced her to allegedly perform oral sex. 

After dropping her off at her destination, they gave her five beers.

Earlier, Bernard Pieters, head of community activation at Cape Forum, said the police are meant to enforce the law, not violate it.

Whistle blower, Zona Morton, said a pandemic was growing within the police with officers being accused of rape and sexual assaults.

She urged the Provincial Commissioner to act immediately by providing GBV workshops for police members under his command.

The duo were the fifth case involving allegations of rape in the province.

In January, Constable Naveron Jacobs, an orderly who worked in the sexual crimes regional court at Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court, allegedly raped a female remandee as she walked back to the holding cells.

In November, Constable Siyabonga Mbane, stationed at Mfuleni police station, was arrested followed by another on Christmas Day in Malmesbury.

Cape Argus