A 59-year-old senior police officer holding the rank of Lieutenant General has been arrested on charges relating to alleged sexual offences involving a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman.

The arrest, which took place on Monday, September 21, has triggered renewed calls for accountability within the South African Police Service, with civil rights organisation Not In My Name International demanding stronger measures to prevent abuse of power by police officers.

According to the SAPS, the senior officer was arrested by members of the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).

He faces charges relating to the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old girl between July and August 2026, as well as the alleged rape of an 18-year-old woman.

The alleged rape is reported to have taken place at a hotel in Sandton in May 2026.

The officer is expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane welcomed the arrest and said police officers have a heightened responsibility to protect women and children.

“Police officers are entrusted with protecting women and children. They cannot themselves be implicated in conduct that undermines this responsibility,” said Dimpane.

“As the country continues to confront the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, there can be no room for anyone within the police service who is alleged to abuse their position or violate the rights of women and children.”

Dimpane said the allegations would be dealt with through the criminal justice process and stressed that rank or seniority should not prevent investigations from taking place.

“Our commitment to combating GBVF must apply equally within our own organisation. Rank, position or seniority cannot place anyone above the law,” she said.

“Where credible allegations of criminal conduct are brought against a police officer, they must be investigated without fear or favour.”

Dimpane added that SAPS would continue taking action against members suspected of criminal conduct while respecting due process and the independence of the criminal justice system.

The arrest has also drawn criticism from Not In My Name International, which said it was outraged by the allegations.

In a media alert issued on Monday night, the organisation said the allegations were particularly disturbing because police officers are entrusted with protecting members of the public.

National spokesperson Boitumelo Thage called for what the organisation described as the “immediate policing of police officers”, including measures aimed at ensuring that officers understand and uphold their responsibility to protect the public.

“A police badge must never become a shield behind which violence, abuse of authority or impunity can hide,” the organisation said.

Not In My Name also called for the protection of the alleged survivor and for immediate psychosocial support to be made available by the state.

The organisation said police officers should receive continuous training on gender-based violence, trauma-informed policing and the treatment of survivors.

It said women who approach police stations should encounter empathy, protection and access to justice rather than humiliation, disbelief or further victimisation.

The organisation’s response comes as South Africa continues to grapple with gender-based violence and femicide, with police and government under sustained pressure to improve the protection of women and children.

The allegations against the senior officer will now be tested through the criminal justice process.

The accused is expected to make his first court appearance in Randburg on Tuesday, where the charges and further details surrounding the case are expected to emerge.

SAPS said the arrest demonstrates that the organisation will not shield members facing serious allegations of criminal conduct, regardless of their rank or position.

The case also places renewed focus on accountability within the police service, particularly where allegations involve senior officials entrusted with protecting vulnerable members of society.

Not In My Name said accountability must extend to all levels of policing and called for measures that ensure officers who violate the rights of women and children are subject to investigation and due process.