THE eThekwini Central Cluster has welcomed the life imprisonment handed down to a serial rapist who terrorised women in the central business district of Durban.
According to Const Zanele Khomo, investigators from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) must be congratulated for their sterling work that saw Mhlengi (Rasta) Mdletshe, (38), being placed before the court.
“Mdletshe will spend his entire life in prison after he was convicted and eventually sentenced by the Durban Magistrate Court on 2 September to life imprisonment for rape,” said Khomo.
Mdletshe began his crime spree in August 2016 by terrorising women who were living on the streets of Durban. It is alleged that a woman was assaulted and raped by Mdletshe on 26 August 2016 in Warwick Avenue. She escaped while he was asleep and opened a case of rape in Durban Central. FCS took over the investigation.
Another victim who was pregnant at the time was assaulted and raped by Mdletshe on the same day near Greyville, after which he fled. The victim also reported a case of rape at Durban Central and the FCS took over the investigation.
ALSO READ: Durban business robbery foiled by police
In a third incident on 4 December 2017 at about 6pm, Mdletshe assaulted a man with a steel object and the victim sustained serious injuries all over the body.
On 30 December 2017, Mdletshe was arrested for assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm in Warwick Avenue and the two rape victims positively identified him.
“The accused was then arrested and charged for two counts of rape and assault. He appeared in Durban Magistrates Court on 3 January 2018 and bail was denied. He made his formal bail application on 10 January 2018 and it was opposed. His trial started on 2 November 2018 and he made several court appearances until he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the first rape, ten years for the second rape and five years for assault, which will run concurrently,” said Khomo.
She said this was the work of a dedicated FCS Unit investigating officer Constable Thabisile Enjoy Dube.
Do you want to receive news alerts via Telegram? Send us a message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail Telegram number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.
To receive our free newsletter click here.
