The South African Police Service says it will not tolerate gender-based violence and femicide within its ranks following the arrest of a senior officer accused of rape and the sexual grooming of a minor.
The lieutenant-general is facing several sexual offence allegations, including the alleged grooming of a minor.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says more than 30,000 people accused of gender-based violence have been arrested over the past year.
She says 648 perpetrators were convicted between April and June, with 98 receiving life sentences.
Mathe says the figures demonstrate the SAPS’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and femicide.
However, she says the allegations against the senior officer are particularly concerning given the responsibility police have to protect the public, especially women and children.
Mathe stressed that the officer remains innocent unless proven guilty in court, but says the SAPS has a firm position on GBVF within its ranks.
The police say the case is being handled with particular care due to the nature of the allegations and the involvement of a minor.
Authorities have also stressed the importance of protecting the alleged victim’s privacy and confidentiality while investigations continue.