A Khayelitsha police officer who turned away a rape victim at a SAPS station will face disciplinary action.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Yolisa Matakata has learned of an incident where a Khayelitsha woman, who was allegedly raped in the area, was turned away from the Khayelitsha police station by a police official and advised to return a day later.
As a consequence, Lt General Matakata has called for a disciplinary investigation against the implicated police employee.
Preliminary reports suggest that the 26-year-old victim had visited the police station in Site B on Monday evening, 22 June, and was indeed attended to by a police officer from the police station.
The police official in question has been identified as part of the unfolding investigation.
On Tuesday afternoon 23 June, a senior police official from Khayelitsha police station visited the victim’s home as part of the investigation and a rape case was subsequently opened. The perpetrator is yet to be arrested as detectives are following several leads.
Lt General Matakata reiterated the South African Police Service’s stance on dealing with cases of rape, sexual violation and other forms of violence, contained in organisational directives.
The SAPS prescripts stipulate that no one who wishes to open a case should be turned away from SAPS service points, which are police stations.
“I cannot wait to see the disciplinary investigation finalised. Not only is it embarrassing to know that a victim of a crime left a police station without being assisted. The claims of what happened smack of dereliction of duty on the part of police. The unfortunate incident happens when the country is battling an alarming rate of incidence of gender-based violence,” said Lieutenant General Matakata.
The SAPS in the Western Cape reiterates its commitment to rooting out all forms of violence including gender-based violence and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to book.
