By Lavern de Vries
Crime Writer
A Mitchells Plain constable has been arrested in connection with the rape of a colleague at a party at the home of a reservist in the area.
Police spokesperson Inspector Ian Williams confirmed that a woman, 24, had registered a rape case against her 26-year-old colleague.
Both are based at Mitchells Plain police station and attended a party last Thursday at a house in Portlands, Mitchells Plain.
According to Williams, the woman constable was approached by her colleague in a bedroom at the house. The male constable then apparently told the woman to undress but she refused. He then allegedly pinned her down, removed her clothes and raped her.
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A source said the incident happened at the venue where the party was being held, adding that although it was not a staff party, police officers often went to the reservist's house in Portlands to socialise.
The constable was arrested soon after the incident and appeared in court on Friday where his case was postponed until December. He is out on R2 000 bail. Williams said the constable would undergo a disciplinary hearing, where he faces possible suspension or dismissal.
Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum chairman Michael Jacobs said the body would reserve comment on the incident, adding that they hoped the investigation into the rape case would be concluded speedily, followed by disciplinary action where needed.
The officer's arrest brings to three the number of officers from the Mitchells Plain station who have been arrested.
About two weeks ago an officer was arrested for the illegal possession of drugs. The woman officer was found with a stick of dagga during a crime-prevention exercise.
In the second incident, a student constable was arrested and charged with theft, after he allegedly pocketed a cellphone he had confiscated during an arrest he had made.
Both have been suspended.
Police watchdog, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD), recorded a 9 percent increase of cases reported to it during the 2008/2009 financial year.
The ICD said that 37 percent of the 2 285 cases it investigated during that period were of a criminal nature. Sixteen percent of criminal cases were lodged against police in the Western Cape, the second highest in the country. Gauteng ranked highest with 18 percent.
The ICD investigated 25 cases of rape involving police officers.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of Cape Argus on November 09, 2009
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