A 40-year-old detective stationed at Malmesbury Police Station in the Western Cape has been arrested for allegedly raping a 41-year-old woman in the police cells.

According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, the complainant alleges that the officer picked her up from her home on Wednesday, in connection with an alleged theft case.

She alleges that at the police station, the officer told her she was picked up by mistake.

He asked her to drink alcohol with him but, when she refused, he allegedly took off his clothes, laid down on the cell mattress and pretended to be asleep. As she tried to leave, the officer allegedly grabbed her from behind, choked her, tore her clothes and raped her. He then dropped her off in town.

A rape case has been opened, medical reports have been obtained and the victim’s torn clothes were handed over as evidence.

The officer is being detained at the Riebeek Police Station and is expected to appear in court on Monday.