A high-ranking police official accused of sexually grooming a teenager and raping an 18-year-old woman is set to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court in Gauteng. It’s alleged the rape took place at a hotel in Sandton in May, while the grooming of the 16-year-old occurred between July and August this year.
The 59-year-old suspect, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General, was arrested by SAPS’s Commission’s Recommendations Task Team or CRTT – a specialised unit tasked with investigating criminal conduct and referrals arising from the Madlanga Commission.
Acting National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has welcomed the arrest and strongly condemned the alleged conduct of the official, noting thSe country’s ongoing fight against gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
National Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe: “Lieutenant General Dimpani emphasized that members of the SAPS have a heightened responsibility to protect women and children from violence, abuse and exploitation. Police officers are entrusted with protecting women and children. They cannot themselves be implicated in conduct that undermines this responsibility. As the country continues to confront this scourge of gender-based violence, there can be no room for anyone within the police service who is alleged to abuse their position or violate the rights of women and children.”
