kidnapping Cape Town Mitchells Plain police man bouncer

Officer in police uniform. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp.

Cleaner who allegedly raped three women at Mitchells Plain police station suspended

A cleaner employed at Mitchells Plain police station allegedly lured three women to his workplace with the promise of a job before raping them.

kidnapping Cape Town Mitchells Plain police man bouncer

Officer in police uniform. Photo: Ashraf Hendricks/GroundUp.

A cleaner at Mitchells Plain police station in Cape Town allegedly lured women to his workplace under the pretext of getting them jobs before raping them. He was recently suspended while an investigation into the allegations takes place – the move was welcomed by political parties and activists alike.

READ: Girl, 17, stabbed detective with broken bottle after he raped her in police station

MITCHELL PLAIN POLICE STATION CLEANER ACCUSED OF RAPE

The alleged rapist’s suspension comes after pickets outside Mitchells Plain police station and an online petition calling for his removal.

Joanie Fredericks, the petition author and a Tafelsig activist, announced that the rape-accused cleaner was suspended without pay, on Thursday, 25 August.

The petition, which was started about three months ago, has more than 9000 supporters. It demanded that the accused be placed on suspension until the cases against him have been finalised.

“His position as an employee at the very institution where victims go to seek protection, makes his attacks all the more EGREGIOUS!” said Fredericks in the initial statement.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, confirmed to the Cape Argus that the Mitchells Plain police station employee has been suspended while the investigation continues.

“It is our policy to conduct a departmental investigation following any misconduct or criminal investigation against a member of SAPS,” said van Wyk.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) Constituency Head in Mitchells Plain, Ricardo Mackenzie, said the party welcomed the suspension and wants an urgent investigation into the matter.

“If the allegations prove to be true, it places even more doubt on the competencies of SAPS to prevent violent crime, since it is alleged that it happened at the police station.

“A police station should be a place where South Africans feel safe. Residents of Mitchells Plain should not be afraid of being a victim of crime when visiting their police station,” said Mackenzie.

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