A Johannesburg Flying Squad member was highly regarded by his neighbours and community until allegations of rape were levelled against him.

The 33-year-old officer has been charged with the rape of his 13-year-old neighbour.

The girl's aunt said the family trusted the policeman.

"Our kids spent a lot of time at his house. He always called the kids to visit him and looked after them," she said.

The officer, who also owns a fleet of taxis, was arrested last week. He appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court on Tuesday and his bail application will be heard next week.

Outrage over reports that domestic worker was raped and forced to engage in bestiality 

The girl's aunt said the girl told them that the rape happened in June. "She said her two-year-old brother went to visit the man after she [the girl] had fetched him from crèche. It was not unusual for the boy to visit him.

"After the boy did not return home for hours, [the girl] ... went to fetch him."

While at the house, the officer gave the boy yoghurt and then allegedly took the girl to his bedroom where he allegedly took out a gun and forced himself on her.

"He then threatened her not to tell anyone because he would kill her. He said no one would believe her because he was a cop," she said.

The aunt said two weeks ago, the man called the girl to his house, and out of fear that he could attack her again, she spoke out. "She told her teachers at school who then told her parents," she said.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesman Moses Dlamini confirmed that a rape case had been opened

The family, however, fears that the officer could influence the case negatively because of his position. "We are scared as it is. He has connections. What if he asks someone to get rid of the case?" said the aunt.

A neighbour whose child also spent time with the policeman at his house said she feared he might have sexually assaulted her too.

"[She] plays at this man's house frequently. A few months ago, she complained that her vagina was sore and I did not think much [about it].

"Now I fear the same may have happened to her," she said, adding that she would take her for a medical examination.