A former police officer who raped an inmate at the Mitchells Plain cop shop appeared in court on Tuesday to hear his fate.
David Steenkamp, a former sergeant, was expected to be sentenced but instead his case was postponed for the probation and correctional officer’s report to be submitted.
He will now be back in court on 5 November.
The vuil cop was fired from his job seven months after the rape case was reported in September 2016.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says: “David Steenkamp was not sentenced [yesterday] as was expected.
“The matter has been postponed as the correctional officers report and the probation officer’s report are not ready.”
The rape occurred five years ago when Steenkamp was on duty.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Grace Langa says: “It was reported that on Sunday, 25 September 2016, Sergeant David Steenkamp raped an inmate who was detained at Mitchells Plain SAPS.
“He was on duty and the cell guard at the time of the incident.”
She added that during the investigation, it was found that the former cop had raped other victims.
“During investigation, it became known that the complainant was not his only victim and more people came forward, making the same allegations against the accused.
“The NPA decided to charge the accused on three counts of sexual assault and one count of rape.”
After a lengthy trial, Steenkamp was convicted on all of the charges but has still not been sentenced.
“The case went on trial and David Steenkamp was found guilty on all counts.
“The case was postponed to yesterday for sentencing
“Our senior investigator K. Page of IPID Western Cape was the one who handled the investigation.”
Steenkamp is the second cop to appear in court for sexual crimes.
Last Thursday Constable Jerome Coetzee appeared in the Strand Magistrates’ Court for the rape of a woman who was arrested for drug possession.
Instead of taking her to the station, he dropped his colleagues and went to a deserted road and allegedly raped her.
Langa adds: “On 4 July 2018 at about 8pm, members of Lwandle SAPS searched the premises of the victim and found drugs in the house.
“The victim was subsequently arrested for being in possession of drugs. The suspect drove to a deserted road in an industrial area and raped her.
“The victim was not detained for the drug found in her house. A case of rape was opened by the complainant.
“Coetzee was charged with rape, kidnapping and defeating the course of justice.”