Sunday, July 5, 2015

Crimes of the South African Police Service

Rapist COP on brink of hearing length of sentence
CONVICTED former police constable Mokolo Molekoa will know tomorrow how many years he will spend behind bars.

Molekoa has been in prison since his arrest in June 2012.

The Randburg constable went on a raping spree between March 2011 and June 2012, offering women lifts in his BMW, then taking them to deserted areas to rape them.

In some cases, he would gang-rape the women with his accomplices, who were never arrested.

Last month, Molekoa was found guilty of raping 16 women.

Judge Peter Mabuse convicted Molekoa on 35 of the 46 charges for which he was tried.

These included 16 of the 17 rape charges, nine kidnapping charges, seven of robbery, two of attempted robbery and one charge of theft.

Yesterday, the Johannesburg High Court heard that Molekoa was not fit to be rehabilitated.

Dr Nicholas Labuschagne, who compiled a psychologist’s evaluation, testified that the former policeman was still denying responsibility.

He said Molekoa did not believe his behaviour was bad.
“The accused says all the incidents were consensual, therefore (he is) denying all the rapes,” Labuschagne said, adding that if a person did not accept the charges levelled against him, it was difficult for them to change.

The State argued yesterday in aggravation of sentence.

It said a lengthy sentence was appropriate for Molekoa.

“The protector became the predator. He had to protect and not harm.

“He never used condoms during all the occasions.

“His victims might have contacted HIV, and he insulted them after these rapes,” said the State prosecutor, advocate Lwazi Ngodwana.

“He should remain in prison for his remaining life,” he said.

Molekoa’s lawyer, advocate Buhle Madondo, argued that his client could not be categorised as the worst kind of rapist.

He said Molekoa could be rehabilitated in prison.

“He will come out as a God-fearing and a lawabiding citizen?” asked Judge Mabuse of Madondo, to laughter from those seated in the public gallery.

By Kutlwano Olifant - kutlwano.olifant@inl.co.za
The Star 23/01/14 Early Edition