WHITE RIVER – A 47 year old Warrant Officer appeared at the White River Magistrates Court yeaterday for the alleged rape of a 67 year old woman. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Mpumalanga office arrested a SAPS member on Sunday evening. The suspect was released on R1000 bail.

It is alleged that on this day, the victim was at the police station to report an assault involving her children. She was assisted by the suspect. The accused then allegedly detained her for an unknown reason and then sexually assaulted her in an office next to the Community Service Centre. The victim then went home followed by the accused who arrived in a SAPS vehicle and told her to accompany him. It is alleged that the accused took the victim to a forest near her home where he raped her in the SAPS vehicle.

The victim reported the matter to the SAPS and the IPID was immediately informed.

The accused handed himself over to the IPID and was arrested and detained.  He appeared at the White River Magistrates Court yesterday on a charge of rape. The case has been postponed to August 27 for further investigation.