Keypoints:
- A SAPS captain is accused of raping a trainee and will appear in court on May 14.
- The trainee was allegedly threatened with disciplinary action if she refused to comply.
- In a separate case, a former SAPS sergeant was sentenced to 20 years for raping a minor in police custody.
PRETORIA, South Africa — A captain in the South African Police Service will appear in court on Wednesday, May 14, after investigators arrested him for allegedly raping a female trainee at the Police Academy in Pretoria.
Arrest and Allegation Details
Members of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) arrested the captain on May 7. Authorities did not release his name.
According to IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping, the 20-year-old trainee walked to her sleeping quarters with other platoon members when the captain called her to his office.
“Once inside, he locked the door and told the trainee to sleep with him,” Suping explained. “He threatened her by saying he would write a misconduct report if she refused.”
She added that the misconduct allegedly involved an incident from April. During that time, the captain accused the trainee of failing to salute him.
Currently, the police captain remains in custody. He plans to apply for bail during his upcoming court appearance.
This SAPS rape case update has triggered public outrage and demands for improved protection of trainees in police institutions.
Separate Rape Case: Former Officer Sentenced
Meanwhile, in an unrelated case in the Eastern Cape, the court sentenced former police sergeant Thembalethu Gqeku, 50, to 20 years in prison. The court found that he raped a 17-year-old girl on Aug. 8, 2022.
According to court records, Gqeku committed the crime inside the detectives’ office at the Kei Mouth Police Station. He lured the victim inside and took advantage of his position of power. His conviction has drawn praise from rights advocates. They believe the outcome sends a strong message against sexual violence in law enforcement.
Public Reaction and Accountability Concerns
Both incidents have sparked growing concern from the public. Citizens and advocacy groups have called for harsher penalties, improved vetting, and more oversight across police departments.
As a result, this SAPS rape case update continues to fuel national debate. Many South Africans are demanding that SAPS rebuild trust and take stronger action to prevent abuse of power.
