Cell gang rape: Cop suspended
2007-02-20 18:28
Mpumalanga - Six men accused of raping a woman in Volksrust police cells appeared briefly in Volksrust magistrate's court in Mpumalanga on Monday.
They were not asked to plead to rape and the case was postponed to February 26 for a formal bail application.
The men and the 24-year-old woman were in the cells on Friday night on charges of being drunk in public.
The woman told police the men took turns raping her throughout the night and that the police duty failed to do hourly checks on the cells as required.
Superintendent Sibongile Nkosi said the officer who was in charge of the cells had been suspended.
She said: "We have instituted an investigation and the officer has been relieved of his duties until he appears before a disciplinary committee.
'Gross misconduct'
"Under no circumstances should a woman be locked up with men."
She accused the officer of gross misconduct.
Gerard Rheeder, spokesperson for the Christian Party, expressed concern that the woman might contract HIV.
He said: "The police who locked the woman in a men's cell without checking on her should be fired, not suspended.
"They also should be liable criminally."