Cops given slap on the wrists for rape

11 October 2022

In a recent Sunday Times article, it came to light that two police officers, who had been investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for allegations of rape, were merely given written warnings by the South African Police Service, whilst a third officer had their salary suspended.

In a country where there is a war against women and children, it is shocking that such a light sanction was given to these police officers. It is a slap in the face of accountability and to the victims of these horrendous crimes. Even though IPID found that there was a case for rape, by recommending that sanctions be given, these cases were not referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution, where a charge of rape carries a minimum sentence of 10 years. Instead, these cops appear to have been let back out into the public domain.

What makes these crimes even more heinous is that the perpetrators are supposed to be the ones protecting the people of South Africa, yet we see a complete lack of accountability in SAPS and this must be laid squarely at the feet of the two people in charge of the Police, Minister Bheki Cele, and National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola.

However, what we see is a Minister incapable of running his department effectively which ultimately leads to top-down rot. Additionally, the National Police Commissioner should have immediately dismissed these police officers for these appalling crimes and referred them for prosecution. An example should have been made of these police officers to remind all those in the SAPS that criminality will not be tolerated.

The DA will raise this revelation in the Police Portfolio Committee for further action to be taken. Additionally, we have also written to the National Police Commissioner to demand that these police officers immediately be fired and referred to the NPA for prosecution. We also wrote to the head of the NPA to ensure that a prosecution does indeed follow so that not only will the victims receive justice, but the sanctity of the SAPS be maintained. If the Police Commissioner refuses to hand over the case to the NPA, the DA will be doing so.

Issued by Okkie Terblanche, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Police, 11 October 2022