In a jaw-dropping case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Constable Lizalise Sentane, formerly an officer of the South African police service, has been slapped with a 10-year prison sentence for a heinous act of rape. Sentane's conviction, which occurred on 29 July 2023, has now led to his removal from the police force and a determination that he is unfit to carry a firearm.

Eric Ntabazalila, the Western Cape spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), confirmed the astounding 10-year sentence, which has left the public reeling. However, the constable has not given up the fight just yet.

Despite the horrifying crime that saw him behind bars, Sentane has filed an application to appeal the sentence. Prosecutor Elton Willemse stands firmly opposed to any appeal, contending that justice has already been served. Sentane remains in custody, awaiting a ruling on the application, scheduled for 6 November.

The charge against Constable Sentane traces back to an incident that unfolded on 25 November 2016. A 34-year-old woman found herself arrested for theft and confined to a cell within the Laingsburg police station.

In a disturbing turn of events, Sentane, the very officer entrusted with upholding the law, intruded into her cell. He proceeded to sexually assault the vulnerable woman, forcibly undressing her and subjecting her to a traumatic ordeal. When the victim resisted his attack, Sentane brandished his service weapon to coerce her submission.

Subsequently, the traumatized victim had the courage to report the brutal rape, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) launched an investigation into the allegations. Shockingly, despite the evidence presented, recommendations for the constable's disciplinary action were ignored, and he was acquitted by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Nearly 1 000 cases of rape by police officers have been alleged in the ten years since 2012, and 97% are not convicted in court. SAPS seldom disciplines these officers either, and most remain on duty. Factors contributing to this state of affairs include reluctance on the part of IPID, as well as failures of the forensic systems.