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.
TaungDailyNews 