A Cape Town police constable appeared in the Blue Downs Magistrate’s Court on a charge of rape.
Constable Siyabonga Morris Mbane, 40, made a brief appearance on Monday, and was charged with two counts of rape after a woman was raped in the holding cells at the Mfuleni police station.
The spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Phaladi Shuping, confirmed the arrest and appearance of the police officer.
“The 26-year-old victim alleges that she was raped by the accused in an empty cell, thereafter, she was taken back to her cell where she was locked with seven others. The incident allegedly occurred in the early hours of November 28,” Shuping said.
He said the woman was arrested on allegations of kidnapping and attempted murder and was locked up with seven other women in the police holding cells.
“The victim reported the incident to the police officers who started their shift in the morning. The incident was reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and the police officer was arrested,” Shuping said.
The Western Cape spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila confirmed the police officer’s appearance.
The matter has been postponed until December 9, for bail information.
The officer remains in custody.
Two weeks ago, a senior police official from the Free State was granted R10,000 bail for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend.
Lieutenant Colonel Sephiri John Matankole, 53, from Welkom was arrested by Ipid after a case of assault was opened against him.
He allegedly assaulted his 30-year-old girlfriend, who is also stationed at the same police station as Matankole, both at a tavern and at home. He strangled and punched her in front of her nine-year-old son.
His bail conditions include him not being able to be in the Welkom area without informing the investigating officer and he is not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly.
The matter was postponed until January 21, 2025, for further investigation.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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