By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg has sentenced serial rapist Katlego Mabote , to five life terms and 42 years for a spate of rapes committed around Mofolo, Soweto, between 2007 and 2014.
Mabote, also known as “Success,” was self-employed and owned a few taxis that transported school children and employees of Pick and Pay, in Soweto.
One of his taxis was driven by himself and used it as an instrument to kidnap women in Rockville and Mofolo.
According to Phindi Mjonondwane,
NPA Regional Spokesperson, six of his victims were lured into boarding his taxi and thereafter threatened with assault, assaulted viciously before been taking to his place where they would be raped.
Mjonondwane, said some of the victims were unconscious because of the assault.
” Some victims were raped repeatedly in the presence of other witnesses and co-perpetrators who are still at large.
“He was arrested for another rape incident in 2014 when six more dockets were reactivated.
“These were rape cases reported at Moroka South African Police Service (SAPS) and had been closed after complainants were said to have filed withdrawal statements.
“Upon investigation, the complainants in those dockets informed the investigation officer, Captain Rudzane Malange that they were threatened not to proceed with their cases, with one of them telling him that a female officer from Moroka had visited her home to tell her not to pursue the rape case.”
Mjonondwane, said that in some cases, the signatures were forged whilst in others, statements were altered, and DNA statements were tampered with.
Senior State Adv. Shubnum Singh argued that the accused was remorseless and re-victimized the complainants by delaying the case since 2015, through various interlocutory applications, amongst them recusals of the prosecutors and Judges, refusal to attend court, refusal to travel with other prisoners and various other demands.
Singh further submitted victim impact statements wherein the complainants detailed how they were threatened and bullied by the accused to withdraw the charges.
Two of the victims were visually impaired because of the assault whilst others had attempted suicide and were depressed.
Relying on the report of the criminologist, Lt Colonel Myburgh, Adv Singh argued that the accused had held the justice system to ransom.
“The accused wanted to show how powerful he was by flaunting his money. He wanted the victims to feel that he was in charge and untouchable. The police played into the hands of the accused by filing withdrawal statements purporting to be from the complainants, allowing the accused to continue with his reign of terror.
“He had friends amongst police officers, correctional services, and certain other government departments,” said Singh.
In arguing for multiple life sentences she argued that the scourge of rape and GBV continues to engulf this country.
Judge Mogotsi ordered that investigations about the role played by some police officers in trying to prevent the wheels of justice from turning must be reopened.
The IO was also instructed to investigate the 2007 Moroka docket where Mabote was charged with raping a 14-year-old minor and was sentenced to a fine of R6000 or three years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of sexual violation.