A 32-year-old man who appeared in the Soshanguve magistrate’s court was handed down multiple life sentences for each of the three rapes he committed in the Soshanguve area when he appeared in the neighbourhood’s regional court recently.
Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said the 32-year-old Joseph Tebogo Mhlanga was also sentenced to 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances and another four years each for housebreaking and theft in the Soshanguve magistrate’s court on 31 August.
Mhlanga was expected to spend a total of three life sentences and an additional 31 years in jail.
“Mhlanga and his accomplice, who is still on the run, took turns to rape two ladies in Soshanguve in April 2011 before robbing them of their cellphones and money.
“Again in June 2011 he intercepted a teenager while on her way to school in Soshanguve and raped her,” Masondo said.
He further said the arrest and subsequent sentencing came after Mhlanga’s docket was assigned to Detective Sergeant Abram Naledi Kgosana from the family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit in Tshwane for further investigation.
“He immediately started with the investigation, searching for the suspects and ensuring that he leaves no stone unturned.
“He followed all the leads until he eventually arrested Mhlanga on 23 August 2018 and charged him with three counts of rape and aggravating robbery,” Masondo said, adding that Kgosana “went an extra mile” to check if there were no other cases which Mhlanga could be linked to.
“Truly, through the reports of SAPS forensic laboratories, Mhlanga was linked to four more cases of housebreaking and theft committed in Soshanguve between July 2013 and June 2014.”
Masondo further said the hefty sentence handed down to the 32-year-old was attributed to Kgosana’s commitment, hard work and dedication.
“The victims can now find closure,” he said.
Meanwhile, provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended Kgosana for his “sterling investigation”, adding that he believed Mhlanga’s accomplice would soon be arrested.
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