Ex-Northern Cape cop sentenced to life for raping two teens

A 45-YEAR-OLD former police sergeant attached to the SAPS social crime section in Namakwa was sentenced to life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping two teenagers.

While employed at the SAPS, the accused, Calvin Brown, was responsible for working with children with behavioural problems.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the first incident occurred in October 2021 at the police clubhouse.

“In October 2021, a 17-year-old complainant was looking for her father and requested the officer to accompany her to the police clubhouse, as he was a trusted member of the police. When they arrived at the clubhouse, the accused raped the victim in the bathroom of the police clubhouse,” said Senokoatsane.

He said the second incident occurred at the home of the accused.

“On June 3, 2023, a 13-year-old complainant was on her way from a school athletics event when she met the accused. The complainant requested the accused to give her water, as he was well-known to children and young people due to the nature of his work. The accused requested the complainant to accompany him to his home. Upon their arrival at his home, the accused left with his friend to buy alcohol at a nearby liquor outlet. He returned home, whereupon he forced the girl into his room and he raped her. The matter was reported to the police and a case was opened.

“The accused was arrested and charged with two counts of rape and defeating the ends of justice as he tried to bribe the complainant with gifts in an attempt to get her to change her statement.”

Senokoatsane explained that the State argued that Brown abused his position and broke the oath he had taken to protect the vulnerable.

He added that during the trial, the State prosecutor, Darryl Bromkamp, argued that the accused was a member of the SAPS who was involved in working with minors.

“He stated that the accused should have known better and that he betrayed young children whom he was entrusted to protect as a police officer. Bromkamp believed that the accused should be removed from society as he showed no remorse and raped two young children. Rape is a serious offence and tramples on the rights of the victims.”

Senokoatsane said the court found no substantial and compelling circumstances that could deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence for such crimes.

“The court found that the accused betrayed the oath of office as a police officer. The court sentenced the accused to life imprisonment for the rape of the 13-year-old girl and 10 years direct imprisonment for the rape of the 17-year-old complainant. The accused was sentenced to another five years of direct imprisonment for defeating the ends of justice. The court found the accused not guilty on the charge of assault. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently.”

Senokoatsane added that Brown was also declared unsuitable to work with children and was declared unfit to possess a firearm.

“His name is to be included in the national register of sex offenders,” he said.