Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Gauteng High Court sentenced Soweto serial rapist Katlego Mabote to five life terms and 42 years in prison.
Mabote raped several women between 2007 and 2014 in Rockville and Mofolo.
Mabote owned several taxis, some of which he used to transport schoolchildren.
He also used a taxi to lure his victims.
The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Phindi Mjonondwane, said six of the women Mabote raped had boarded his taxi.
Mjonondwane said some women lost consciousness while being assaulted, and others were raped repeatedly in the presence of other victims and co-perpetrators, who police have not yet arrested.
“Two of the victims were visually impaired because of the assault, while others had attempted suicide and were depressed,” Mjonondwane said.
Mabote was arrested in 2014 after police in Soweto reopened dockets, which had been closed illegally by corrupt officers.
Mjonondwane said:
Judge Daniel Mogotsi called for an investigation into these allegations.
“The investigating officer 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 R6 000 or three years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, on condition that he was not found guilty of sexual violation.”
The State prosecutor, Shubnum Singh, argued that Mabote had used his money and status to intimidate the victims from speaking out and used the justice system to serve his interests.
“The police played into the hands of the accused by filing withdrawal statements purporting to be from the complainants, allowing the accused to continue his reign of terror. He had friends among police officers, correctional services, and certain other government departments,” he said.
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