By Zuko Komisa
Soweto serial rapist sentenced to 5 life sentences and 42 years in prison.
Katlego Mabote, a serial rapist, was found guilty by the Johannesburg High Court of raping multiple women and then buying police to withdraw the allegations against him.
A taxi owner and student bus driver who terrorized the Soweto neighbourhood for seven years was sentenced to five life terms and 42 years in prison for multiple instances of rape.
EWN reports that prior to his arrest, he operated in the neighbourhoods of Mofolo and Rockville between 2007 and 2014.
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The National Prosecuting Authority’s Phindi Mjonondwane commended the courageous witnesses who gave testimony in the case.
“The witnesses had to endure countless threats and years of anxiety as Mabote tried in vain to halt his prosecution.”
“Six of his victims were lured into boarding his taxi and thereafter threatened with assault, assaulted viciously before been taken to his house where they were raped. Some 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.
“Two of the victims were left visually impaired because of the assault, while others had attempted suicide and were depressed,”
The court heard how he tricked several of his victims into getting into his cab, where they were then raped while his accomplices looked on.
Mabote was jailed for criminal behaviour after eight years.
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