Whilst South Africa continues to wage the war on gender-based violence, those in power of authority, who are employed to protect its victims, are actually perpetrators themselves; of the most heinous kind.
It has recently come to light that a Police Captain from the Free State who was stationed to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit has been arrested for the alleged rape of two women and for allegedly sexually assaulting an 11-year old who was a victim of rape. The said Police Officer faces a further string of charges namely, grooming, extortion, fraud and forgery.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) who is currently investigating the matter has said that the Police Officer, in the first rape case, had been looking into a rape case whereby a boyfriend had allegedly raped his girlfriend. The Police Officer in question, it is alleged, demanded sex from the victim in order to release the suspect, who is also the boyfriend. The Police officer furthermore demanded sex from the suspect’s sister as well.
In terms of the matter of the 11-year old rape victim, it is alleged that the Police Officer had subjected the girl to secondary victimisation and trauma by fondling her breasts, buttocks and vagina.
The Police Officer’s alleged sexual assaults on other victims goes as far back as 2001.
The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Khehla Sitole, only a few months ago addressed the issue of gender-based violence cases and stated that they remain a priority for the police across the country. Sithole gave an assurance to South Africans that crimes against vulnerable people will not go unpunished. He stated further that, “The Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit is extremely obstinate in its cause to bring perpetrators of crimes against women, children and people of vulnerable groups to book.”
For those victims of the Police Captain who was the perpetrator and stationed at a Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit their vulnerability as victims of rape and sexual assault were met, not with protection or the premise of being kept safe, but with further abuse, assault and rape. It therefore remains to be seen how these victims can actually trust the current system and our Police, when in some instances, it is dismally failing its victims.
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Author – Kate Bailey – Hill
