A 49-year-old police sergeant stationed at Honeydew is expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday, facing charges of rape and sexual grooming involving his 20-year-old female relative.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) says the officer was arrested on Friday following allegations that he sexually abused the victim between 2022 and October 2024, when she was between the ages of 14 and 16.
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Shuping says the victim was placed in the care of her aunt, who was married to the accused, after losing both her parents.
The officer is also accused of threatening and intimidating the victim to prevent her from reporting the alleged abuse. He allegedly gave her money to keep her silent.
Shuping says IPID recorded an increase in rape cases involving police officers during the 2025/2026 financial year.
The directorate registered 116 cases during the period, compared with 95 cases in the previous financial year.
Gauteng recorded 21 cases, making it the second-highest province after the Eastern Cape.