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Cop
guilty of rape, armed robbery
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Judge says police constable’s version of events highly unlikely
POLICE constable Mokolo Molekoa was yesterday found guilty of raping 16 women. In total, Johannesburg High Court 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 of theft. Molekoa went on a serial raping spree between March 2011 and June last year, offering women lifts in his BMW, then taking them to deserted areas to rape them. In some cases, he would gangrape the women with accomplices who have never arrested. Judge Mabuse said he found most of Molekoa’s evidence to be fabrications that had no support. He said Molekoa’s claim that he had relationships with the women was highly unlikely, saying the evidence against him was impeccable. PIt was most unlikely that any man would leave his girlfriend in the middle of a field or point a firearm at her, Judge Mabuse eloborated. He said that in all the cases, Molekoa did not act like he was in love with the women, but instead took things from them. The judge acquitted Molekoa on 10 kidnapping charges and one of rape, saying the State did not prove beyond reasonable doubt that the incidents were without the women’s consent as they had initially entered Molekoa’s vehicle willingly. Molekoa remained calm and expressionless throughout the judgment, and shook hands and chatted to his friends after his conviction. Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training chief executive Irene Khumalo said: “All these cases are about power and control. When custodians of the law are involved, it leaves you vulnerable. “Who are we supposed to trust if those who are supposed to be upholding the law are the ones breaking it?” she asked. Khumalo welcomed the judgment, saying Molekoa’s conduct was appalling and not acceptable. The case was postponed to January 22 for the victim impact reports to be heard. By Mpiletso Motumi - mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za The Star 13/12/13 Early Edition |
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Crimes of the South African Police Service
