SAPS lieutenant general faces charges over alleged grooming of teenager and rape

A senior police officer in South Africa, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, has been arrested on charges of sexual offences, including rape and sexual grooming of minors. According to the acting National Commissioner, the arrest underscores the police service's zero-tolerance stance on violations of women and children's rights. Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, the acting national commissioner, condemned the alleged conduct, stressing that police officers have a solemn duty to protect women and children from violence, abuse, and exploitation.

The arrested officer, a 59-year-old former lieutenant general, is accused of raping an 18-year-old woman at a Sandton hotel in May 2026 and sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl between July and August of the same year. The officer is set to appear in Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Dimpane emphasized that the arrest sends a strong message that the Saps will not shield officers from serious allegations of criminal conduct, regardless of their rank or position.

The ongoing murders and cases of gender-based violence (GBVF) in Gauteng have further highlighted the urgent need for accountability within the police ranks. Dimpane stressed that no officer should be allowed to abuse their position or violate the rights of women and children, as the fight against GBVF must start with holding police members accountable for their actions.