KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Nonhlanhla Khoza has expressed shock and disgust at allegations that a rape took place on the KwaHlabisa police station premises.

It is alleged that a woman had an argument with her boyfriend, who forced her to leave the house. The woman then approached the police to ask for help.

A police vehicle was dispatched to fetch her the next day. Unfortunately, while she was at the police station, it is alleged that one of the police officers on duty started harassing her.

He allegedly stopped when he saw a fellow police officer approaching them. When that officer got back into the vehicle, the policeman left at the Community Service Centre (CSC) allegedly forced the woman to have sex with him.

It is alleged that the officer threatened to shoot the victim with a service pistol should she scream or report him.

The victim issued an appeal for help through Nongoma Community Radio Station, as she was severely traumatised. The woman, whose identity is being withheld, said she had been assaulted by the police officer.

Reacting to the allegations, Khoza said, “It is very disappointing that the people who are mandated by law to protect the victim ended up inflicting more pain on her. Such officers are an embarrassment to our society and must be treated as the criminals they are.”

Khoza said she was shocked and in disbelief that an officer of the law could have the audacity to rape a gender-based violence victim and threaten to kill her if she tried to report the case.

“Our team of social workers is going to help the victim to open a case and we will see to it that the matter is thoroughly investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). In the meantime, police management should take action against the accused officer,” she said.

The MEC added that she wanted to see KwaZulu-Natal police management institute an internal disciplinary process against the officer in question. “If we are serious about fighting gender-based violence, we can’t let cases like this be ignored,” she said.

Khoza said she will be in contact with her counterparts, Provincial Transport, Community Safety & Liaison MEC Peggy Nkonyeni and Police Minister Bheki Cele to intervene in this case.

Khoza has dispatched a team of social workers to the victim to help her open the case, as she claimed that she tried to seek help at Umtubatuba police station with regards to the case, but was told that the matter would be reported to KwaHlabisa police station management.

“Our social workers will meet the victim so she can provide more details of her ordeal. They will also administer psycho-social support and prepare her to register a case with solid evidence to secure conviction in court.”