Bongumusa Nxumalo, a police constable at the Heidelberg police station in Gauteng, has been released on R1 000 bail after he was arrested for rape.
Nxumalo was arrested by Independent Police Investigative Directorate investigators (Ipid) for allegedly raping a 31-year-old woman in August.
The 35-year-old appeared before the Heidelburg magistrate’s court this week where he was granted bail. The case was postponed to October 13 for further investigation.
Ipid spokesperson Robbie Raburabu said the rape is alleged to have happened during women’s month at the victim’s place in Ratanda Extension 23 in Heidelberg.
Raburabu said the suspect had allegedly gone to the victim’s place where they both indulged in alcohol.
The victim reported that Nxumalo allegedly overpowered her and raped her.
“They then both fell asleep and the suspect slept over at her place. He allegedly raped her again when he woke up the following morning,’’ said Raburabu.
The ministry of police commended Ipid on the arrest of the officer and said Ipid should conduct its work without fear or favour.
Police ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said if police officers are found guilty, they should face the full might of the law.
“The ministry [of police] is aware of the shocking incident and it is on record that the SAPS [SA Police Service] has zero-tolerance for gender-based violence, let alone this crime perpetrated by members of the service,” said Themba.
She further said the incident happened before president Cyril Ramaphosa opened the expanded Biology DNA Analysis Lab.
“The lab will improve turnaround times in DNA analyses and reinforce a fight against gender-based violence and femicide which remains a priority crime for the SAPS.”
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
