A 59-year-old senior police officer holding the rank of Lieutenant General has been arrested on charges relating to sexual offences, including the alleged grooming of a 16-year-old girl and the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman.
The senior officer was arrested on Monday, 21 September 2026, by members of the South African Police Service’s Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).
According to SAPS, the officer faces allegations relating to the sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026.
He is also accused of raping an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton in May 2026.
The officer is expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 September.
Acting National Commissioner of SAPS Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane welcomed the arrest and strongly condemned the alleged conduct.
Dimpane said police officers have a heightened responsibility to protect women and children from violence, abuse and exploitation.
“Police officers are entrusted with protecting women and children. They cannot themselves be implicated in conduct that undermines this responsibility.”
She said allegations of this nature must be dealt with regardless of the rank or position of the officer involved.
“Rank, position or seniority cannot place anyone above the law.”
Dimpane further said the fight against gender-based violence and femicide must include accountability within SAPS itself.
She stressed that SAPS would continue taking action against members suspected of criminal conduct while respecting due process and the independence of the criminal justice system.
The arrest follows SAPS’s commitment to investigate serious allegations against its members without regard to their rank.
The senior officer remains presumed innocent and the allegations will be tested through the criminal justice process.
