PARKTOWN – Police in Gauteng continues its fight to address serious and violent crimes against women, children and vulnerable persons.
Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has welcomed the recent successes achieved by three detectives of the Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit whereby three convicted rapists received life sentences in three separate cases.
On Wednesday, 23 February 2022, the Benoni Regional Court convicted and sentenced 28-year-old Thabang Ndlangamandla, a traditional healer, to life imprisonment for two counts of rape. The crime was committed on July 2019 whereby Thabang misled his victim’s mother by saying her daughter will “possibly die” if he did not treat her within seven days.
The victim then went with the healer to his house where he raped her twice and told her not to tell anyone about what had transpired. The matter was reported to the police at Etwatwa Police Station in August 2020. Detective Constable Sipho Ndaba was assigned to investigate the case and thorough his skillful and excellent investigation, the accused was successful convicted and sentencing to life imprisonment.
Earlier this month, Benoni Regional Court handed Jerry Radebe, aged 60-years, a life sentence plus 15 years’ imprisonment for rape and sexual assault respectively.
On 12 November 2018, two minors, aged four and five years, were playing near their home when they were lured by Radebe who promised them sweets in his shack. Radebe resided in the same street as the victims.
The four-year-old victim notified her older cousin who brought the matter before the police and Detective Sergeant Ramonono Nyofane investigated the case.
In another incident, Detective Constable Moses Van Wyk’s investigative skills secured life imprisonment for rape in Benoni Regional Court on 14 February 2022.
On the 16 August 2020, the victim was sleeping in her shack in Daveyton while her mother was at work. The landlord, Mbongeni Malematholo, 30-years-old, woke her up and instructed her to go with him to his house where he raped her.
Lieutenant General Mawela applauded the members for their diligent investigations. “This shows how dedicated our detectives are towards their job. Police will continue to ensure that those who abuse women and children are brought to book and pay for their heinous deeds”, said Lt Gen Mawela.
Source: South African Police Service