A cop accused of raping a teenage girl had his first taste of freedom in more than a month when he was released on bail yesterday.
Warrant Officer Frederick Soldaat, 47, who has been in the tjoekie since the start of September was granted bail in the Ashton Magistrates’ Court.
Soldaat, who was stationed at Montagu SAPS in the Boland, is accused of raping a 15-year-old girl inside the Trauma Room at the cop shop where she was placed to “cool off” after a stryery with her parents at the end of August.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson Robbie Raburabu has confirmed that the police watchdog is investigating the matter.
“The police were called by the girl’s family on Tuesday, 30 August, to take her to the police station to cool off after an altercation at home,” explains Raburabu.
“While she was in the trauma room the 47-year-old warrant officer allegedly raped her.”
The teenager informed her parents of the alleged rape the next day.
The men in blue nabbed their colleague three days later on September 2.
Soldaat was charged with rape and made his first court appearance on September 5.
His bail application kicked off on September 12.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed Soldaat’s release on bail.
“The court set bail of R3000. The case was postponed until 23 October for further investigation,” says Ntabazalila.