POLOKWANE – THE Mankweng police have welcomed a sentence passed by the Polokwane high court last Wednesday, sentencing Lucas Phoshoko (29) to 20 years imprisonment on two counts of rape.
According to Const Matimba Maluleke, in one of the rape incidents a student at the University of Limpopo said on June 15, 2012 at about 20:30, she was approached by three unknown men, of which Phoshoko was one. She was on her way to the campus where she lived.
“She said the suspects dragged her to a house near the campus and gang raped her at gunpoint,” he said.
Maluleke said Phoshoko was arrested two months later following investigations by Mankweng detectives.
“The suspect’s blood samples were taken for forensic investigations and he was successfully linked to four cases of rape, four robbery cases, two cases of house breaking and attempted murder.”
He said on June 25 last year, Phoshoko escaped while in police custody, but he was recaptured three days later.
He said although Phoshoko had received 20 years imprisonment, other cases were still pending and police investigations continued.
Maluleke advised people to avoid walking alone at night.
“People must walk in groups at night because when they are alone, they appear to be easy targets.”
He said people must avoid walking with valuable items such as money, cellphones and laptops on them as these attracted robbers.
“Students must make sure they leave their campuses before it gets dark and they must walk with friends.”
