Cape Town cop accused of rape denied bail

CAPE TOWN - A Cape Town police officer accused of rape will spend Christmas and New Year's in prison.
 
This after his application to be released on bail was denied by the Blue Downs Magistrates Court on Thursday.
 
The man is accused of sexually assaulting a 26-year-old woman who was a detainee at the Mfuleni Police Station in November, where he worked as a cell guard.
 
In his judgment, the magistrate said that the accused abused his power and authority as a policeman and brought the police service's name into disrepute.
 
He added that the alleged actions of the 41-year-old constable would haunt the victim for the rest of her life.

The magistrate said that the State had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused police officer had a prima facie case to answer for.
 
He added that the strength of the State's case weighed heavier than the personal circumstances of the accused in the bail application.
 
"And therefore, the court is of the view that the applicant fell short of producing sufficient evidence able to persuade this court that indeed it would be in the interest of justice that this application should be granted in favour of the applicant persons in the matter."
 
The matter case will resume in February next year.