The spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Lizzy Suping, says they will oppose the bail application of the female police constable accused of raping her son.

The woman (40) appeared before the Siyabuswa Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga this morning on charges of rape of a minor, creating and distributing child pornography and the sexual grooming of a child.

A video of the woman engaging in a sexual act with what is said to be her then 10-year-old son went viral on social media last week and was met with outrage and condemnation.

Internal police processes have already been implemented following the woman’s arrest on January 20 and will run parallel with the criminal investigation that has been taken over by Ipid.

Limpopo police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says the identity of the woman cannot be divulged to protect the child.

“We strongly urge the public to refrain from sharing the video as perpetrators of crimes against children will be dealt with accordingly,” he adds.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Limpopo Department of Social Development, Joshua Kwapa, tells the Polokwane Review that they visited the child, provided counselling and will continue to do so.

“The child is currently in the custody of his extended family who are providing care for him,” he says.

Suping says the woman was remanded in custody and that the case has been postponed to next Monday.