By Obakeng Maje
North West-Police in Lichtenburg are investigating a case of rape following allegations that a police official stationed at Sannieshof raped a 29 year-old victim at Sannieshof on Wednesday between 02:00 and 006:00.
The suspected Detective Constable, 38, has been in the Police Service for eight (8) years.
According to information, the victim who stays in Hillbrow , Johannesburg came to Sannieshof to attend court on 2013-10-03 of her boyfriend who is in custody in Sannieshof on charges of Housebreaking .
“It is alleged that on Monday, the victim sent the investigating officer a text message that she wanted to speak to him in connection with the case. When she met with the Investigating Officer in Sannieshof, it is alleged that the Officer misled her into believing he was going to assist her with the case of her Tanzanian boyfriend” brigadier Thulani Ngobane said.
Information has it that he took the woman to his grandmother’s place where he allegedly raped her 3 times during the night. The official has not been arrested yet as he is still at large.
“It is also alleged that before the ordeal, the police officer had asked the lady for money to assist her with the case. The victim had R2000, 00 and the suspect said R2000, 00 that was not enough” Ngubane outlines.
The matter has been reported to the IPID and the Police would like the public to assist whenever they identify this constable.
The detective Constable is charged with 3X counts of rape.
Once the member is arrested and charged, he will be suspended, immediately without pay, once all has been verified.
“The North West provincial Commissioner has condemned the horrible act, and instructed the police to work hand in glove with the IPID to get this member arrested. The Provincial Commissioner said:
“We will never rest in our laurels as the Police management in this Province, until we clean all those hyenas that hid in the beautiful blue whilst they want to scavenge on innocent citizens and dent the good image of the Police” she said.
This matter has left the provincial commissioner dismayed and heartbroken, and said this should not deter the public from vesting their trust in the Police as thousands of men and women in blue are good cops.
“They should just work with us in cleaning the Police Service. Crime and corruption will not be tolerated and it remains our duty to protect the vulnerable and the weak, especially women and children” said the North West Provincial Commissioner.-TDN
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