SIBASA - Tension is mounting within the SAPS Far North area office in Sibasa, following the arrest of a third senior police officer, who is accused of having an affair with an under-age girl.

Capt Tshammbenga Thomas Mugivhi (52), of Shayandima was arrested on Thursday, December 20 after a 16 year-old girl revealed their love affairs, which allegedly started two years ago.

Police spokesperson, Capt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi said Mugivhi, a former commander of the Child Protection Unit (CPU) and now member of lost management in the area office in Sibasa, allegedly forced a young girl to become involved in a love affair with him, in order to help her in her struggle against the abuse from her mother.

"It is alleged that during 1999, this girl, 14 by then, was sent by the social worker to approach the CPU office to seek assistance as she was emotionally abused by her mother," said Mushavhanamadi. According to her statement, the young girl found Det/Insp Nemavhulani, who was attached to the CPU, and discussed all the problems she encountered with her mother. Nemavhulani then referred her to Capt Mugivhi who was still the unit commander for CPU by then.

"Mugivhi allegedly promised that he would attend to her problems. He allegedly said that she should make love to him, so that he can help with all her problems, to which she agreed. The two had a relationship in which they had sex on several times, even in the passage of the CPU offices," said Mushavhanamadi.

Mushavhanamadi said the girl said she decided to spill the beans after she learnt that it was unlawful for Mugivhi to make love to her, as a minor. Mugivhi appeared in Thohoyandou Magistrate's court, where he was given a R2 000 bail. The case was postponed to April 26, this year.

Mugivhi is the third senior police officer from the Far North Area office to be arrested after Insp Enoch Aifheli Kwinda (44) of Itsani and Capt Tendamudzimu Tshipandu (41), had been arrested two months ago.

Kwinda's case of sleeping with his two daughters is still in court while Tshipandu was sentenced to life imprisonment for sleeping with a 14 year-old girl.

Capt Mzamane Hobyane, the leader of CPU, who arrested both Kwinda and Tshipandu, said they were informed that there are many more police officers who are abusing children sexually.