A 59-year-old police captain accused of raping a 20-year-old female trainee has appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court as part of his bid for bail.
The senior officer allegedly assaulted the trainee in his office at the Tshwane Training Academy. During his bail application, the accused claimed the case is a deliberate attempt to humiliate him and argued for his release on medical grounds.
However, the case has taken a further turn, with a second woman coming forward to lay an additional charge of sexual assault against the officer.
The incident comes amid renewed scrutiny of misconduct within the South African Police Service. In a recent written parliamentary response, Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu revealed that more than 2,000 officers have been dismissed over the past five years for various forms of misconduct — including cases of sexual violence.
The matter has sparked concern over the safety of trainees and the culture within police institutions, as calls grow for greater accountability and oversight.