By Sbongile Sokela
Sharp skills of Detective Sergeant Mpho Mukununde, from Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual offenses unit, prompted positive results that led to the conviction of a 19-year- old, Thato Mofokeng, who assaulted and raped a 25- year -old victim, at Edenpark.
On Friday, 8 March 2025, the accused was finally found guilty on all charges and sentenced to twenty years (20) direct imprisonment for each victim he raped. He will have forty years (40) imprisonment terms that will run concurrently.
It is reported that on Saturday, 28 January 2023, at approximately 16:00, the victim had just returned from church when she was approached by a well-known male from the neighbourhood who demanded to walk with her to his home. The victim refused, and the accused then began assaulting her with an iron rod until she reluctantly agreed to go with him to his shack.
On their arrival, the victim alleged that she was raped on numerous occasions. The victim opened a case of Assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm (assault GBH).
The same incident happened on the 18th of February 2024, when a different lady was coming from a nearby tavern; rape case was also opened at Edenpark.
During the briefing between members of FCS, it was discovered that two Detectives were looking for one suspect, and it was decided that both dockets should be handled by Sgt Mukununde, who pinned all the dots for the accused who used same modus operandi to lure his victims to his shack so he could rape them. The accused was then arrested by Detective Sergeant, who bought him before the court to answer for his wrong deeds.
The Station Commander of Police in SAPS Katlehong, has welcomed the good conviction secured by Detective Sergeant Mpho Mukununde, who showed her intelligence by pinning the accused on his crimes.
