Parliament police committee calls for harsher sentences for SAPS members found guilty of rape

CAPE TOWN - The chairperson of Parliament's police portfolio committee is calling for harsher sentences for South African Police Service (SAPS) members found guilty of rape.

Earlier this week, Ian Cameron told the committee it was worrying that some officers commit these crimes while in full uniform or commit those crimes in police stations or while they are on duty.

His comments come after the Independent Police Instigative Directorate reported that for the 2023/24 financial year, 110 incidents of rape by police officers.

The statistics also show a police officer committed rape every 72 hours in the same period.

Former head of detectives and anti-gang unit Jeremy Vearey said crimes of this nature reflect the culture within the police force.  

“It doesn't actually shock me that much as with many types of police agencies where you know there’s a militaristic tradition or martial tradition, that almost makes police officers incorrectly think that they are cut above the rest of society, and that sense of entitlement that comes with such kind of underlying beliefs.”