WHITE RIVER – A warrant officer who is accused of having raped a 66-year-old woman on Sunday, has handed in his resignation.

Provincial Commissioner, Lt Genl Thulani Ntobela, made the announcement earlier today.

The 47-year-old WO was arrested shortly after the apparent incident. It is alleged that he raped a 66-year-old woman in plantations near her house shortly after she had come to the station to report an assault incident.

He is expected to appear in court again on August 27 after he was granted R1000 bail by the White River Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

Although Ntobela is pleased with the quick arrest of the WO, he finds no joy in what he is being accused of. “We do not need such members within our midst,” said Ntobela.

He has welcomed the decision by the member who has since filed for termination of his services within the SAPS. “His resignation doesn’t imply that he will be immune from prosecution, neither will it serve as a mitigation,” Ntobela warned.

He also appreciated the good work done by the members who arrested the suspect. This shows that no one is above the law, irrespective of whether he or she is a member of the SAPS or not.