The late investigating officer, Sergeant Luyanda Perseverance Mhlambi, died before he witnessed the two rapists, Mnyamezile Mese (40) and Sthembiso Hlatswayo (36), he was investigating being sentenced to prison.

Mese was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Vosloorus Regional Court on July 15 for raping a 23-year-old woman in Vosloorus, at Inyenzane Street, in March 2024.

Hlatswayo was sentenced to 20 years in prison on July 16 by the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court after raping a 13-year-old girl in Katlehong in November 2023.

Ekurhuleni SAPS district spokesperson Captain Neldah Sekgobela said it is very sad that Mhlambi did not get to witness all the results of his good work, as he passed away in June, a month before the two suspects he was investigating were sentenced to prison for rape.

“On March 9, 2024, at about 02:30, Vosloorus police officers responded to a rape case at Inyenzane Street in Vosloorus.

“When they arrived at the crime scene, they found a badly injured female lying on the floor, barely able to speak. The female only managed to mumble her name to the police officers and also gave them information regarding the accused,” said Sekgobela.

She mentioned that thereafter, the police officers managed to call an ambulance that took the victim to hospital.

“They then proceeded to arrest the accused. The accused was detained after a skeleton docket was registered.

“Nonetheless, the docket was assigned to the Family Violence, Child Protection Services and Sexual Offences Unit member, the late Sergeant Mhlambi, who took over the investigation, collected all evidence, and built a watertight case where he even successfully opposed the bail application of the accused, and the accused was kept in custody until he was sentenced on July 15,” Sekgobela shared.

She added that in another rape case that was investigated by the late Sergeant Mhlambi, Hlatswayo was also sentenced to prison.

“On November 28, 2023, at about 18:00, a complainant, who is the mother of the victim, noticed that her younger daughter was not back in the house since she was with the accused, who is a boyfriend to her other elder daughter.

“She then decided to look for her younger daughter and thereafter found her with the accused in a nearby public park,” Sekgobela stated.

She said the mother was informed by her daughter that the accused had undressed and raped her.

“He then gave her R100,00 and told her not to inform anyone about what happened between them. After the mother heard everything that was said by her daughter, she called the police and the accused was arrested immediately.

“The case was earnestly investigated by the late Sergeant Mhlambi. The accused was denied bail, found guilty, and sentenced to 20 years’ direct imprisonment on July 16.”

Ekurhuleni SAPS district commissioner Major General Anna Sithole has expressed pride in both the convictions and applauds the late Mhlambi.

“It is unfortunate that Mhlambi, who was dedicated and hardworking, died before he saw the results of his good work.”

Sithole appealed to other detectives to pull up their socks in their investigations and be like the late Mhlambi.