SAPS says arrest of lieutenant general shows ‘no one is above the law’

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has described the arrest of a senior officer as proof that “no one is above the law” after a 59-year-old lieutenant general was detained on sexual-offence allegations and is due in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court.

Arrest and charges

The officer was arrested on Monday night by members of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT). He is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 22 September, on charges relating to two alleged incidents.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the charges include the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026 and the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton in May 2026.

Investigation and what SAPS says

Mathe said the matters were reported to SAPS in recent months and that the CRTT began investigating after the reports were made.

“These matters were reported to us as the SAPS in recent months, and the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team started with their investigation, and this is where the investigation has brought us today,”

She said she would not provide further details because the matters were still before the courts:

“With regard to the sexual grooming case, it’s in relation to a 16-year-old girl. I won’t go into further detail because these matters must still be ventilated before court,”

and regarding the other charge she said,

“With regard to the rape case, it’s in relation to the 18-year-old young lady who was allegedly raped by this senior officer.”

Accountability and GBVF response

Mathe emphasised that the arrest illustrates SAPS’s stance that rank or status does not place someone above the law. She said:

“Irrespective of rank, position or status, where there is evidence, that particular evidence is brought before a court of law and that individual, irrespective of who they are, is brought to answer to the crimes committed,”

adding:

“This is what the public should expect from us. The arrest, even within our ranks, without fear or favour.”

She framed gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) as a societal challenge that requires a whole-of-society response, and said SAPS has a particular responsibility to investigate allegations, protect victims and hold members accountable.

On protecting women and children she said:

“The SAPS commitment to protecting women and children must be firm and absolute. It’s non-negotiable. It is a priority,”

and warned that police officers must not abuse their authority to exploit women or children:

“A child’s vulnerability must never be exploited, and a person of authority must never use that authority to gain access to or manipulate a young girl or a young child.”

CRTT record and SAPS activity

Defending the CRTT’s work, Mathe said its investigations are supported by strong evidence when matters are brought before court:

“When they bring a matter before court, they’ve got overwhelming evidence against you,”

she said.

Mathe said SAPS would stand in solidarity with the alleged victims and intensify efforts against GBVF. She also provided recent operational figures, saying the SAPS had arrested more than 30,000 suspects for GBVF-related crimes in the past 12 months, and that between April and June 648 GBVF perpetrators were convicted and sentenced to prison, including 98 who received life sentences.

Disappointment and presumption of innocence

Mathe acknowledged the arrest was disappointing given the officer’s responsibilities but reiterated the presumption of innocence:

“This is a person who is entrusted with serving and protecting the people of this country, particularly women and children. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Everyone is innocent until they are proven guilty before a court of law,”

she said, adding that SAPS will not tolerate GBVF within its ranks.