Tebogo Msimanga |
The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg sentenced serial rapist Katlego Mabote, to five life terms and 42 years for a spate of rapes committed around Mofolo, Soweto, between 2007 and 2014.
Mabote was self-employed and owned a few taxis that transported school children and employees of Pick and Pay, in Soweto. One of his taxis was driven by himself and used it as an instrument to kidnap women in Rockville and Mofolo.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said six of his victims were lured into boarding his taxi and thereafter threatened and assaulted before been taking to his place where they were raped. “Some were unconscious because of the assault. Some victims were raped repeatedly in the presence of other witnesses and co-perpetrators who are still at large”.
Mabote was arrested for another rape incident in 2014 when six more dockets were reactivated. These were rape cases reported at Moroka South African Police Service (SAPS) and had been closed after complainants were said to have filed withdrawal statements.
“Upon investigation, the complainants in those dockets informed the investigation officer, Captain Rudzane Malange that they were threatened not to proceed with their cases, with one of them telling him that a female officer from Moroka had visited her home to tell her not to pursue the rape case”.
Senior State Adv. Shubnum Singh argued that the accused was remorseless and re-victimized the complainants by delaying the case since 2015.
Judge Mogotsi ordered that investigations about the role played by some police officers in trying to prevent the wheels of justice from turning must be reopened.
