A Brackenfell policeman was arrested at the police station on Friday morning after allegations that he raped a domestic violence victim last Monday, after she sought help from the police.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) was waiting for him at the station as he reported for duty where he was immediately taken into custody.
He was supposed to appear in the Blue downs Magistrate’s Court on Monday but the case was postponed to 24 January after the accused reportedly fell ill over the weekend. The 26-year-old woman was allegedly raped by the on-duty officer when he went to her house to assist her after an attack by her boyfriend.
According to TygerBurger sources the woman earlier that night went to the police station seeking help.
However, she was sent away by police without any assistance.
She went back home, but as the situation at home worsened she contacted the police again, where after a patrol car was sent to her home.
It was reported in Weekend Argus that the said officer allegedly offered to take the woman to a safe place.
Instead he drove to another location where he raped her and threatened to kill her if she spoke out.
Police confirmed that the woman opened a case against the police officer the day after the attack.
Ipid spokesperson Grace Langa confirmed that a rape case is currently being investigated by Ipid and internal disciplinary steps are being taken against the attacker and others at the station who failed to assist the woman on the night of her attack.
TygerBurger sought comment from the provincial police commissioner, but had not received any feedback at the time of going to print.
