A police sergeant in the Western Cape has been suspended and faces further disciplinary action for allegedly raping a woman on Christmas Day at the Malmesbury police station on the West Coast.

Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa says that Western Cape police management has condemned the alleged rape.

She says it’s deeply disturbing that a police officer who is meant to protect the public, is accused of such a crime.

“Internal South African Police Service disciplinary proceedings have been instituted against a police Sergeant from Mamasbury who is accused of raping a 41-year-old woman in the detective offices at the police station. The rape is alleged to have happened on Christmas Day and was reported on Friday. The police sergeant was arrested and the case is being investigated by the IPID.”