A police constable has been arrested for allegedly raping a homeless man who sought shelter at the Bellville police station.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesman Moses Dlamini said the male constable was arrested on Saturday after he was identified by the 40-year-old man at the police station.
The incident was reported to the IPID after the homeless man went to a clinic on Friday, the day after the incident is alleged to have occurred, where he told them that he had been raped by a policeman.
“He (the homeless man) said he asked a group of policemen, who were not in uniform outside the police station, if he could be allowed to sleep there because of the cold weather,” said Dlamini.
One of the men allegedly took him to a room at the back of the police station, handcuffed him and asked to search him.
“The victim said he agreed to be searched. The police officer allegedly took off his clothes and raped the man,” said Dlamini.
The police officer will appear in court on Tuesday and will face rape charges.
“Our mandate is to investigate rape by a police officer whether he is on or off duty, and the rape of any person in police custody.
“Members of the public expect protection from police and not to be harmed or be victims of police criminality,” said Dlamini.
Cape Argus