. The arrest of two police officers for multiple counts of rape and kidnapping has sparked outrage and calls for immediate action against gender-based violence in South Africa.
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The two Moorreesburg police officers accused of rape and kidnapping a woman after offering her a lift on a farm have been granted R2000 bail.
The officers face six counts of rape, as well as kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) Eric Ntabazalila confirmed their release out on bail and said they faced multiple charges for the alleged attack. "The State vehemently opposed their release on bail on the Schedule 6 charges," said Ntabazalila.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirmed their arrest last month. According to IPID's Phaladi Shuping, the alleged attack took place on February 8 at around 10.30pm. The 27-year-old victim was reportedly travelling to the residence of her boyfriend from her workplace when the officers using a state vehicle, offered her a lift. They allegedly raped her multiple times, forced her to perform oral sex and later gave her five beers before dropping her off at a destination.
Earlier, Bernard Pieters, Head of Community Activation Cape Forum said the police were supposed to enforce the law, not break it.
He explained that a 2023 study concluded that less than 40% of the South African population trust SAPS and that it was lower than the trust in the SABC or SARS.
Whistle blower, Zona Morton said a pandemic was growing within the police with police officers being accused of rape.
She urged the Provincial Commissioner to act immediately in providing GBV workshops for police members under his command.
The two officers are the latest in a string of rape allegations against SAPS members in the Western Cape.
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 by another officer in Malmesbury on Christmas day.
Cape Argus