Cape Town — The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has revealed there were 110 rape allegations made against police officers during the 2023/2024 financial year.
Figures in an IPID report showed the amount of rape cases by police officers, both on-duty and off-duty. Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) led the way with 26 cases (15 on, 11 off), Gauteng had 20 cases (6 on, 14 off) and the Western Cape were third with 19 cases (9 on, 10 off).
The Eastern Cape and Northern Cape followed with 18 and 14 cases respectively. The Free State had just 5 cases, followed by Limpopo and North West with 3 each. Mpumalanga reported just 2 cases.
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In total, 53% of cases took place while officers were on-duty, and 47% took place while off-duty. Statistics in the 2022/2023 annual report revealed that there were 122 cases – 23% increases from 2021/2022 (99 cases) and 10% more than 2023/2024.
According to TimesLIVE, the most recent case occurred when a 35-year-old orderly allegedly raped a female remandee while she was waiting to be transferred to Pollsmoor Prison. She reported the incident to the Pollsmoor correctional officers, leading to an investigation by IPID.
The chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on police, Ian Cameron, said harsh sentences should be imposed on police members who are convicted of rape.
“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,” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
