Officer to be prosecuted over remarks

A POLICE officer who allegedly made derogatory remarks about a recruit’s attire, skin colour and weight during a parade is due to be prosecuted on charges of crimen injuria.

The prosecuting authority has finally decided to prosecute the serving SAPS general following the intervention of AfriForum.

It is claimed that the general humiliated 53-year-old Captain Riana Stander (previously Viviers) and others. The incident is said to have taken place in November 2016 when the general – who cannot be identified at this stage – visited the SAPS Academy in Oudtshoorn.

According to AfriForum, the general instructed Stander and others to stand on the stage and in front of about 450 recruits. She allegedly made derogatory remarks about Stander’s attire, weight and the colour of her skin. This was met with applause and cheers from the rest of the recruits.

It is claimed that the general then remarked that “the stage was too white”.

Stander subsequently opened a case against the officer in November 2016.

AfriForum said due to the trauma and stress brought about by this incident, Stander had been declared medically unfit to serve and is thus no longer employed by the SAPS.