One of the main duties of the police is to protect the country's citizens against criminals and keep our neighbourhoods secure.

One of the main duties of the police is to protect the country's citizens against criminals and keep our neighbourhoods secure.

With the country up in arms over crime, it is shocking that certain police members would themselves act in a manner that endangers the lives of those they are supposed to protect.

We are therefore still baffled by the strange behaviour of police officers at Volkrust in Mpumalanga, who, after arresting a woman for being drunk in public, locked her in a cell occupied by six male suspects last Friday. The men later took turns raping her.

Those responsible must hang their heads in shame for they have brought disgrace to police ranks.

The provincial police commissioner must immediately suspend them while the matter is investigated.