Serial rapist sentenced to 20 years for attacks in Sekhukhune
The meticulous investigation was conducted by Detective Constable Meetsana Mashiloane of the Limpopo Provincial FCS Unit: Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation
Image: SAPS
A 33-year-old man convicted of multiple rapes in the Sekhukhune District has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.
Lesedi Mokwana was sentenced by the Polokwane High Court on Monday, June 9, for a series of attacks on women between 2019 and 2020. He targeted victims aged between 22 and 46 across the Hlogotlou and Zaaiplaas policing precincts, according to SAPS.
Mokwana’s method involved breaking into homes at night and attacking women walking alone after dark. He was linked to the crimes through DNA evidence.
The court handed down the following sentences:
Count 1: 10 years
Count 2: 20 years
Count 4: 10 years
Count 7: 10 years
The sentences for Counts 1, 4, and 7 will run concurrently with the 20-year sentence for Count 2, resulting in an effective sentence of 20 years. Bail was denied throughout the trial.
The investigation was led by Detective Constable Meetsana Mashiloane from the Limpopo Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit: Serial and Electronic Crime Investigation (SECI).
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe reiterated SAPS's stance against gender-based violence and called for continued commitment to pursuing offenders.