Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the alleged rape of a Sannieshof woman by a police officer, while also condemning the killing of another woman by her partner.
In a statement on Sunday, the Premier said the conduct of the police officer, who is alleged to have raped a Sannieshof woman while on duty, is a betrayal of his oath of office.
“The heartless and opportunistic criminal who preys on the vulnerable and the weak should have no place within the ranks of the police service and in our society as he has not only compromised the name of the police service but also tainted its image within the broader society that looks up to police officers as protectors,” said the Premier.
According to media reports the police officer allegedly raped the 29-year old woman on Thursday after tricking her into believing he was going to assist her with the case of her boyfriend, who faced charges of housebreaking.
According to police, the officer took the woman to his grandmother's house and allegedly raped her three times.
It was also alleged that the officer asked the woman for money to assist her in the case.
Modise called on women to report rape cases.
“It is courageous women like the victim in this case, who come forward to reclaim their dignity and amplify the call for united action against the scourge of rape in our courts that should inspire others to break their silence and speak out against perpetrators,” added Modise.
Spokesperson for the Premier Lesiba Moses Kgwele said: “Though the police officer is said to be still at large, the matter has also been reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate”.
Meanwhile, Modise has called for no bail to be granted for the man accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend in Lehurutshe.
According to police, the 27-year-old man allegedly assaulted the school pupil at a tavern with a brick, after accusing her of being unfaithful to him.
She died later in hospital.
“The scourge of violence against women is alarming and that is why we call for the toughest sentence possible against those who commit gender-based crimes. Those who abuse and kill their partners have got no place in our society and must rot in jail,” said Premier Modise.
The man is set to re-appear in the Lehurutshe Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. - SAnews.gov.za
