The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has noted a sharp increase in incidents of people allegedly raped by police officers in the past financial year.
THE INDEPENDENT Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has noted a sharp increase in incidents of people allegedly raped by police officers in the past financial year.
Delving into the recently-released 2021/22 annual report, Ipid national spokesperson Lizzy Suping told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika that at least 5,295 criminal cases were opened against police officers in the last financial year.
“In terms of the three main cases we have investigated, we have got assault at 3,400, the discharge of an official firearm at 744, and death due to police action at 410. We have other cases that we have also investigated, but these ones are the main cases that we have had,” she said.
The 178-page report states that 99 incidents of rape by on- or off-duty police officers had been recorded during the period under review. Most of the incidents were reported in KwaZulu-Natal, with 20 incidents, followed by Gauteng and the Western Cape, with 18 incidents each.
The Eastern Cape recorded 15 incidents.
“Compared to the previous financial year, Ipid nationally experienced an increase of 24% relating to rape by police officers with the exception of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Free State that experienced a decrease,” according to the report.
The report also stated that two cases of rape in police custody were reported during the period.
“The incidents were committed by inmates/civilians who committed further offences whilst in custody. Compared to the previous financial year, Ipid nationally experienced a decrease of 86% with the exception of Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape that experienced an increase,” according to the report.
Suping said 49% of the reported rape cases involved police officers who were on duty.
“We have referred some of those cases to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) for prosecution, and we have made recommendations to SAPS to take action against their members,” she said.
“Most of the cases that we referred to the NPA are still on the court roll, and their processes are ongoing. We hope to be getting more convictions in this financial year of 2022/23.
Of the 5,269 criminal cases registered against police officers in the last financial year, it was previously reported that Gauteng officers led the way, with 984 criminal complaints lodged against them, followed by the Western Cape with 963 and KwaZulu-Natal with 628.
The police watchdog said 53 officers were fired, 239 disciplinary convictions were obtained involving 311 officers, while criminal convictions against 20 police officers saw them head to jail for varying periods ranging from eight years to life imprisonment, as a result of rape, corruption, police-related death and assault.
