Brackenfell Community Policing Forum (CPF) has opposed bail to be given to the Brackenfell policeman accused of raping a woman after she sought help from the police for domestic violence on Sunday night 9 January.
The accused was to appear in the Bluedowns Magistrate’s Court this Monday (24 January) but the case was postponed for a second time to 2 February due to the accused falling ill.
“The CPF furnished the senior state prosecutor with reasons why they believe it is in the interest of justice and public safety that the officer should not be allowed bail,” says CPF chair Werner Victor. The policeman whose name has not been made public yet pending his first court appearance, was arrested at Brackenfell Police Station by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) on Friday 14 January.
The rape victim sought help at the police station on the Sunday night in question after her boyfriend assaulted her, but was sent away by police. Back home she was assaulted again later that night and called the police again. The accused who was on duty responded to the call and offered to take her to her friends house in Kraaifontein, but instead drove her to another location where he allegedly raped her and threatened to kill her if she spoke out.
Police confirmed that the woman made a case against the police officer on the Monday after the attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday morning.
However, according to Victor the CPF executive only learned of this incident on Thursday 13 January moments before its general meeting.
“The station commander of Brackenfell police explained what had transpired and what (procedures) the police have taken,” says Victor.
“The CPF has called for disciplinary action and investigation against the entire shift on duty that night due to the fact that the proper protocol was not followed when the victim reported that she was assaulted,” says Victor.
“We as the CPF view this incident in a very serious light and will do everything in our power to ensure that the officer will not get any preferential treatment. We are in ongoing discussion with the management of Brackenfell police and know that disciplinary actions have been instituted and are being investigated. The CPF will monitor the process closely. It is tremendously sad, horrific, and disgusting at the same time, that such an incident happened in our community and by a police officer whom we as the community turn to when in need. Although very difficult we urge the community, not to cut all the members at Brackenfell police with the same knife,” says Victor.
Meanwhile, the Tygerberg cluster CPF executive expressed its disappointment in the lack of transparency in the way the incident was dealt with.
“The lack of transparency from all sectors is careless as it created breakdown of trust between the police and the community. The Tygerberg cluster and the chairs of all the CPF clusters are shocked at this event. At no point in time should there ever be a doubt in the community to receive support when GBV or any other crime is committed,” says cluster chair Sean McCleland.
