WC DA calls on SAPS to thoroughly investigate rape allegations against officers

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape is calling on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to thoroughly investigate rape allegations against some of their colleagues.

In the last two months, three SAPS members in the province have been charged with rape in separate cases.

Two police officers stationed at the Mfuleni police station were arrested in November and January for allegedly raping female detainees in police holding cells.

Another officer was arrested at Malmesbury police station for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at the station on Christmas Day.

The DA's Thomas Walters said that if proven to be true, the charges constitute an unacceptable violation of public trust, human dignity, and the rule of law.

"The DA demands urgent and thorough investigations, it's simply unacceptable that such a culture can exist within the police service. We need to have consequences for any guilty parties, and this kind of thing simply cannot happen."