An Eastern Cape police constable (36) has been found guilty by the Eastern Cape High court for failing to report her police sergeant husband (53) who raped her 16-year-old daughter. 

The matter was investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). IPID spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping said the teenager was raped at the police barracks where they lived as a family. "The police sergeant from East London sexually assaulted and later raped his stepdaughter at the police barracks between 2018 and 2021. A case was reported to IPID and the sergeant was arrested. The investigation revealed that the mother of the complainant, who is also a police officer, was informed by the child about these acts but she did not report them to the authorities or remove the complainant from the house," Shuping said.

Shuping said the mother of the victim desisted from helping her daughter report her husband to the authorities instead it was the aunt who stepped in and supported the teen through court proceedings. "Throughout the court proceedings, the police sergeant was remanded in custody while the police constable was released on a warning. IPID applauded the aunt for standing by her niece and supporting her. The matter has been postponed until April 4 for sentencing," said Shuping.