West Rand detective helps secure life sentence for rapist
The conviction follows an attack in which a 60-year-old man was assaulted and his wife raped.
A West Rand detective’s thorough investigation helped secure a life sentence for a 34-year-old man convicted of rape and related offences.
Hekpoort SAPS welcomed the sentence handed down on May 18.
Following the suspect’s arrest, the case was assigned to Sergeant Motlatsi Mashiloane of the West Rand District Detectives Unit for further investigation.
• ALSO READ: Triple rape accused sentenced to life plus five years
Through collaboration and detailed investigative work, the team secured a successful conviction.
The conviction stems from an incident on April 2 last year when police responded to a complaint of assault.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a 60-year-old man who had sustained multiple facial injuries.
Preliminary investigations revealed the man had allegedly been assaulted by the offender. The victim informed police that he had been with his wife before the incident.
Police and community members searched for the woman and later located her. It was subsequently established that she had been raped by the offender who was later traced and arrested.
• ALSO READ: Security guard sentenced to life imprisonment for rape
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape, four years’ imprisonment for assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH), and a further four years for common assault.
Warrant Officer Mavis Tlhoaele, acting station commander of Hekpoort SAPS, welcomed the sentence and commended the investigating team and community members for their co-operation and support throughout the investigation.
She urged community members to continue reporting criminal activity and working closely with law enforcement agencies to combat crime.
