The Pretoria High Court sentenced Pretoria West serial rapist Takalani Mulaudzi (30) to seven life terms and 173 years’ imprisonment for rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Mulaudzi was convicted of 15 counts of rape, five counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, three counts of kidnapping and one count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

North Gauteng regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Mulaudzi started committing these offences in 2015 in and around Pretoria West when he was 23-years-old.

“He targeted vulnerable women that were either walking alone or in pairs in the evenings.

“He would threaten them with an object or a knife, then drag them to the closest veld, rape them, take their belongings such as cellphones, money, laptops and leave them,” Mahanjana said.

“The accused will have conversations with the victims and ask them personal questions about their lives.

“One victim testified in court that Mulaudzi told her he was studying law while he was raping her.”

Mahanjana said another victim also testified in court that while she was walking and crossing in West Park at approximately 20:30, Mulaudzi pointed a knife at her and instructed her to go with him.

“When they reached the bushes he instructed her to lie on the grass, tied her with a cable tie, covered her mouth with sellotape and proceeded to rape her.

“After the incident, Mulaudzi directed her to go towards Magalies freeway where he professed his love and that he regretted his actions. He raped her again continuously the entire night until the following morning.”

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She said Mulaudzi was later arrested on July 10, 2019 at his workplace in Johannesburg, after he was traced through one of the phones he stole and linked to the rapes through DNA.

She said while in custody Mulaudzi, continuously applied to be released on bail several times and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) successfully opposed all those applications.

Mahanjana said during his plea explanation, Mulaudzi denied raping the women multiple times, but admitted to only raping them once.

Despite this he was convicted on all counts of rape.

“Prosecutor Advocate Cornelia Harmzen asked the court to impose the maximum prescribed sentence and argued that Mulaudzi had no remorse for his actions.

“Presiding Judge Maumela was shocked by the devastating impact of the crimes on the victims and criticised people who disrespect women.”

NPA DPP (directors of public prosecutors) Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi welcomed the sentence and was thankful for the work and dedication by the investigation officer Sergeant Daniel Moshabelo, that led to the successful conviction and sentencing.