The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has welcomed the 20 year sentence imposed on a former detective in Kei Mouth for raping a complainant in a case he was investigating in 2022.
The victim, who was 17 years old at the time, had opened a case of assault and violation of a protection order against her partner at Kei Mouth police station.
Spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the former detective, identified as Thembalethu Gqeku, picked up the victim from a local shop under the pretext that, as the investigating officer, he wanted to obtain a further statement from her.
It is alleged that while at the police station, the officer raped her in his office in one of the buildings at the police station.
Delivering sentence on Friday, Magistrate JN Govusa said the accused betrayed the police service and showed no remorse during the trial.
IPID Eastern Cape provincial head, Bongiwe Tukela, said GBVF is a scourge in our country and the department had noted a trend where victims allege that they were being raped whilst being picked up from taverns, which is a concern.
“Therefore, IPID is very pleased with its impartial investigation, as well as the dedication of the NPA senior prosecutor advocate Phangelele, on this case as it yielded a positive outcome for the victim who was also vilified prior to the court case,” said Tukela
“IPID would also like to acknowledge the support from the Department of Social Development in the Eastern Cape for providing emotional support to the victim while they also ensured that she was ready for trial, which lasted for about four months since January 2025.”
