By Johnathan Paoli
Police Committee chair Ian Cameron has advocated for harsher sentences for police members convicted of rape.
In the last financial year, 110 incidents of rape by police officers were reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
“It is reprehensible and sickening that so many cases of gender-based violence can be perpetrated by people meant to uphold the rule of law or at a place of safety such as a police station,” Cameron said.
He stressed that in light of their duty and position as trusted officers, committing atrocious crimes eroded the rule of law.
This comes on the heels of an orderly appearing before the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on allegations of raping a female prisoner inside the holding cells while awaiting a transfer to Pollsmoor prison.
Cameron also criticised the high number of new recruits involved in crimes of this nature, suggesting a fundamental flaw in the police’s vetting process during recruitment.
“We continue to reiterate that officers who break the law must be removed from the service. The SAPS Code of Conduct is clear that officers must at all times adhere to and promote the rule of law,” he said.
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