A South African Police Service (SAPS) member appeared in the Upington District Court in the Northern Cape on three counts of rape.
Constable Luthando Meintjies, 27, also faces three counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), and a count of kidnapping.
During Meintjies’ first appearance, the court heard on November 15, the police constable arrived at his place of residence with the 23-year-old victim at night after allegedly consuming alcohol.
It is alleged that during the night, the police constable informed the complainant that she must call her mother as he wanted money to buy more beers.
When she could not get the money from her mother, he began to assault her and proceeded to rape her numerous times during the night.
She tried to escape and hide in the bathroom, but the court heard Meintjies broke down the door to open it.
While she was trying to flee from him and during all the chaos, the young woman had managed to send her uncle a text message pleading him to come and rescue her from the police officer.
When the woman’s uncle arrived at the officer’s home with the police, Meintjies was arrested and charged with rape, assault GBH as well as kidnapping.
Meintjies made a brief court appearance where he was formally charged.
The matter has since been remanded to December 10, for further bail purposes.
The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the state will be opposing the release of Meintjies on bail.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
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