'ARREST HIM'

GBV (Gender-Based Violence) activists have called on Western Cape police to investigate an Mfuleni officer accused of asking a woman for oral sex as she arrived at the cop shop for help. 

According to an internal police report, the cop allegedly even offered to pay the victim R200 as she tried to report her abusive berk. 

The report states that the incident took place on Sunday morning around 3am as the vrou arrived at the satellite police station in Mfuleni, to report a domestic violence case. 

It reads: "Apparently, the victim was beaten by her boyfriend. The statement was not taken because she was drunk. Two members were present. It was a female and male police officer. Then she was assisted by a male police officer, while busy questioning her [the] other female police officer left them.

It further states that after leaving the victim was called back by the male officer. 

It continues: "When they got inside, he switched off the lights and unzipped his pants and took out his penis and asked her to suck it and she refused.

"In that process, he offered to give R200. She also rejected the money offer. The police official didn't force her, and then he zipped his pant[s]. The victim left the police premises without being helped." 

The victim later reported the incident and a case of sexual assault has been opened. 

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirms a case was registered and says: "The circumstances surrounding this incident are now the subject of an investigation by the South African Police Service.

"Reports suggested that the complainant, a female, aged 23, arrived at Mfuleni SAPS Satellite Station on Sunday 20 April at about 03:00 to report a domestic violence case after she was allegedly assaulted by her boyfriend.

"The police members could not take a statement as she was found not to be accountable. The victim alleges that a male, who is a police officer took her into a room where he made indecent proposals towards her.

"She rejected the indecent proposal where after she departed from the station. Mfuleni police registered a case of sexual assault for further investigation.

"No arrests as the investigation unfolds, the possibility on an imminent arrest is not excluded." 

Caroline Peters of the Callas Foundation says the incident was a gross abuse of power. 

She says: "When a woman walks into a police station to report abuse, she is placing her trust in the very system meant to protect her.

"What happened in Mfuleni is not just a betrayal of that trust - it is a gross abuse of power and a violation of her dignity.

"We call for immediate disciplinary action, criminal prosecution, and urgent reforms to ensure police stations become places of refuge, not sites of further violence. Women deserve justice — not exploitation."