Police rapes: Who guards the guards?

Reports that two police officers in Nelspoort are amongst those accused of rape, statutory rape and sexual exploitation of four minors is most concerning and warrants serious attention. This matter will top the agenda of my meeting with the Provincial Police Commissioner on Monday.

The police are entrusted with protecting the inhabitants of South Africa and with upholding and enforcing the law. Whilst the majority of police officers are law abiding and are at the forefront of the fight against crime, we simply cannot tolerate a scenario in which certain South African Police Service (SAPS) officers are perpetrators of grievous crimes themselves. 

In terms of my oversight role over the police, this matter will top the agenda at my next meeting with the Provincial Police Commissioner, General Lamoer, on Monday. I will be requesting that the investigation into this matter is properly conducted, considering that police will be investigating the police, and that the full might of the law falls on these individuals should they be found guilty.

I will also request from the SAPS a full report into:

• the number of SAPS officers accused of rape in the Western Cape in the last year
• the number of officers that have been convicted of rape in the last year
• the number of these officers that are now behind bars
• what measures have been taken to ensure that police stations are not sources of crime themselves, and
• what measures are being taken to ensure that vulnerable minors and victims of crime are protected when they seek help from the police.

The police service is entrusted with powers to protect South Africans. We cannot allow these powers to be abused for crimes and destructive behaviour. Strong action is needed and the SAPS must be accountable to the citizens of the Western Cape.

Enquiries:
Dan Plato
Minister of Community Safety
Cell: 076 832 5505

Greg Wagner
Media Liaison Officer (Acting)
Cell: 072 623 4499