Daily Archives: May 10, 2024

A SERIAL RAPIST GETS THREE LIFE TERMS IN PRISON 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

A man has been sentenced to three life terms imprisonment by the Bafokeng Regional Court in Tlhabane for rape. Tshepo Tshwagong (31) was linked to three cases of rape committed between February 2018 and November 2020 in Phokeng and Boitekong, near Rustenburg.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said Tshwagong dragged a woman (29) into the bushes at Rafreddy Section on 7 February 2018, then strangled and raped her. The evidence led in court revealed that, he also raped the second victim (35), on Friday morning (4 May 2018), at Seraleng after dragging her also into the bushes and strangled her. 

“The victim was at the time of the incident, going to work.  In the third incident on Monday morning (11 May 2020), the convict raped a woman (32) at Rafreddy Section, in Phokeng. 

“Similarly, the accused dragged the victim into the bushes, then strangled and raped her. The long arm of the law caught up with the accused on 6 January 2021, for three separate cases of rape and robbery,” he said. 

Mokgwabone further said Tshwagong was sentenced to two life terms, 20 years imprisonment for rape and 12 years for robbery. He added that, while serving the sentences, he was linked through the DNA with the 2018 and 2020 cases. 

“Due to overwhelming evidence, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three life terms. Count two and three will run concurrently with count one,” said Mokgwabone.

In aggravating for sentence the state prosecutor, Advocate Zola Mpayipheli, indicated that Tshwagong is a serial rapist and that he ruthlessly targeted his victims whom he strangled and raped. 

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, praised the Investigating Officer, Sgt Obakeng Rasego and Advocate Zola Mpayipheli, for their diligence and cooperation, which culminated in the successful prosecution and imposing of maximum sentences on the accused.

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A K9 handler, Sergeant Gaogakwe Mabaso honoured after ‘cracking’ a case 

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Picture: A K9 handler, Sergeant Gaogakwe Mabaso/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE 

A passionate K9 handler, Sergeant Gaogakwe Mabaso, was handed a Commendation Certificate, while his Fire Detection dog, Erin received a medal for dedication, commitment and appreciation for canine services. The handing over took place during a weekly Operation Shanela parade at Westpol Square parking on Friday.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the memorable moment for Mabaso and his dog began when they assisted in solving a robbery, murder and arson case. Mokgwabone said the crimes were committed in Tlokweng village, Madikwe on 10 October 2018. 

“It was reported at the time of the incident that four suspects stormed into Sunrise shop, then robbed the shop owner of an undisclosed amount of cash and thereafter set the shop on fire. As a result, the victim sustained serious burn wounds and later died at the hospital.

“The Potchefstroom-based Mabaso and his fire investigation dog were called to join the investigation team to determine the origins and cause of the fire.   Investigations were done and evidence collected from the scene and sent to the laboratory for chemical testing. 

“The evidence was later presented in court and all four accused were found guilty in November 2021 and were each sentenced to life for robbery, arson and murder,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Deputy Police Commissioner for Support Service, Major General Ganasen Naidoo, applauded Mabaso and other team members for their dedication and loyalty they displayed during the investigation process. Nadioo further said this is exemplary and part of positive results they get when proper procedures are followed, investigative aids and resources are efficiently utilised during investigation processes.  

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Heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the passing of retired ConCourt Judge, Yvonne Mokgoro  

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Picture: The retired ConCourt Judge, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro/Google 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Heartfelt messages of condolences continue to pour in after the passing of a retired ConCourt Judge, Justice Jenifer Yvonne Mokgoro. On 3 April 2023, a South African jurist, was seriously injured in a car accident in the Northern Cape. 

After she was discharged, her family announced that she would step back from her public engagements in order to focus on her recovery. However, she died on 9 May 2024, at the age of 73. 

According to Wikipedia, Mokgoro served on the Constitutional Court of South Africa from October 1994 to October 2009. She also chaired the South African Law Reform Commission between 1995 and 2011. 

“Mokgoro qualified as a lawyer in the former Bophuthatswana and was a legal academic before she was appointed to the bench by President Nelson Mandela. She was born in Galeshewe Township, near Kimberly. 

“Her parents had only a primary education, and she was the first of her siblings to complete high school after matriculating at the local St. Boniface High School in 1970. Her first jobs were as a nursing assistant, a retail salesperson, and then as a clerk in the Bophuthatswana Department of Justice,” said Wikipedia.

It further said in Mokgoro’s early 20s, she was arrested for obstruction of justice after she intervened to object when the police arrested a young man for loitering. Wikipedia added that, although the charge against her was dropped after a brief detention, she was represented by political activist Robert Sobukwe, a family friend who was banished to Kimberley and was one of the few black lawyers in the town. 

“According to Mokgoro, Sobukwe encouraged her to become a lawyer, and she enrolled part-time in legal study shortly afterwards. Balancing her legal study with her full-time work and young children, Mokgoro attended the University of Bophuthatswana (now the North West University), where she completed a BJuris in 1982 and an LLB in 1984.

“On campus, she was active in the South African Students Organisation (SASO) and African National Congress (ANC), which are both anti-apartheid organisations,” said Wikipedia.

It says while studying for her LLB, Mokgoro worked at the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court as a maintenance officer and public prosecutor. 

Wikipedia says after receiving her LLB, however, she was appointed a lecturer in the University of Bophuthatswana’s Department of Jurisprudence, where she worked until 1991, rising through the ranks to become an associate professor.

Meanwhile, the North West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said: “The NWU community mourns the passing of Mokgoro – an outstanding alumna, and respected law practitioner. Among her various qualifications, Mokgoro obtained her B Juris Degree (1982) and Bachelor of Laws (1984) from the University of North West (now the North West University).

“The NWU honoured her with an Alumni Excellence Award at the inaugural NWU Alumni Excellence Awards ceremony in 2013. She was an exemplary alumna of the NWU, whose outstanding work has been recognised and celebrated by many institutions in South Africa and abroad.” 

Tyobeka said Mokgoro held membership of the International Women’s Association (Washington DC) and the International Association of Women Judges, the International Federation of Women Lawyers, and the South African Women Lawyers Association.

“Law has been her passion and her endurance to ensure that all South Africans have access to fair treatment in our courts, made her even more special. She raised the NWU flag very high. 

“Our current students and other alumni can learn from her determination and achievements. We join her family, former colleagues, and friends in mourning her passing, and celebrating her contributions to South Africa and her people,” he said.

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