PARKTOWN – As Gauteng police continue to prioritise cases against women and children and also to intensify efforts to bring down the scourge of gender-based violence, Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng Lieutenant General Elias Mawela welcomed the five life sentences and 1088 years imprisonment imposed on a convicted Pretoria serial rapist on Thursday 27 May 2021 in the Pretoria High Court.

Sello Abram Mapunya was found guilty of 35 counts of rape 36 counts of house breaking and robbery with aggravating circumstances he committed between 2014 and 2019. He was sentenced to five life sentences and one thousand and eighty-eight years imprisonment for his evil deeds.

Mapunya who targeted residents of Atteredgeville, Mamelodi, Olievenhoutbosch, Silverton and Nellmapius was operating mostly during the night where he would break into people’s houses and rape women, at times in the presence of their husbands and children.

Lieutenant General Mawela congratulated the investigating officer Sergeant Catherine Refilwe Tladi who after taking over the investigation remained focused, liaised with victims and collected all necessary evidence that led to the successful conviction and sentencing of the accused and ensured that Mapunga’s reign of terror in Tshwane is brought to a complete halt.

“This is a victory in our fight against gender based violence and crime committed against women and children. The sentence today will send a strong message to other men who think they can violate women and get away with it. I encourage our members to continue to prioritise the investigation of cases against women, children and other vulnerable groups” said the Provincial Commissioner.

Source: South African Police Service