ZAMDELA – Another month, another conviction for Zamdela’s hard-working Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit police officer.

This time, Detective Sergeant Agnes Mankge has secured 39 years’ imprisonment for rape.

This comes after the Sasolburg Magistrate’s Court convicted and sentenced 37-year-old Dikgang Amos Mofokeng to an effective 39 years’ direct imprisonment for charges of rape, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH), and robbery.

According to the Fezile Dabi District Police spokesperson, Sergeant Josephine Rani, the sentence was handed down on April 17.

“The incident occurred on February 12, 2022, at about 19:00. The then 19-year-old victim was walking from her grandparents’ residence to her home when she met the accused near a dumping site next to a local school. The accused demanded her cellphone, overpowered her, and raped her,” said Rani.

“He took the victim to an unoccupied house in the Snake Park section, where he stabbed her on the forehead and the hands. He further restrained her by tying her hands and feet with plastic and raped her again. After the assault, the accused left the premises in an attempt to locate the victim’s cellphone,” she added.

Rani said that despite sustaining injuries and being left unclothed, the victim managed to free herself and ran to nearby residents for assistance.

“Community members immediately contacted the police. The accused then went into hiding for days,” she said.

The case was later assigned to Detective Sergeant Mankge, who, through dedicated investigative work, gathered critical evidence that led to the arrest and successful prosecution of the accused.

Giving a reaction, Mankge said, “It took dedication to trace him until he was arrested. We had to do a thorough investigation and link him to the crime. I’m happy to get my third conviction and continue to get justice for the victims. It’s God’s will to get to such great heights and give the courts ammunition to do their job.”