The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) detectives’ successful investigation conducted between January and November led to the conviction of at least 94 men on charges of rape, among others.
Three of the arrested individuals committed the crime in the Ekurhuleni district. The latest convictions were handed down on November 17.
Thabo Jacob Khumalo was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping an eight-year-old girl who was sent to the shops in December 2018 in Daveyton.
Another rapist, Thabo Mpumulo Marule from Etwatwa, was sentenced on the same day to life imprisonment for raping a friend’s seven-year-old boy repeatedly in 2019.
This year, the FCS team sent three serial rapists to prison.
One is the infamous serial rapists known as the Facebook serial rapist, operating in Brakpan and Boksburg.
Thokozani Jiyane lured his victims with the promise of helping them find jobs in the film industry. His victims believed him as he impersonated a famous artist, whose picture was used as a profile picture on his social media platforms. His reign of terror lasted for a few months between 2019 and 2020 before he was caught.
According to Gauteng provincial media liaison officer Brig Brenda Muridili, Jiyane is serving eight life sentences and a further 233 years for raping 10 women.
The provincial commissioner of Gauteng Lt-Gen Elias Mawela commended the work done by detectives. Mawela said the FCS secured a combined 90 life imprisonment terms and 2 791 years’ sentences in the past 11 months.
During the performance review of the provincial FCS, the provincial commissioner congratulated the detectives for removing 94 men from the communities of Gauteng who have been convicted on charges ranging from rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, assault, kidnapping, robbery and house break-in.
Another serial rapist, Gift Mkhwanazi, operated in Ivory Park for several months in 2018 before his arrest. He was sentenced to 12 life imprisonment terms and a further 302 years for kidnapping, raping and robbing 21 women.
The third serial rapist, Sello Abram Maponya, targeted women in Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, Olievenhoutbosch, Silverton and Nellmapius in the Tshwane district between 2014 and 2019. He would break into his victims’ homes during the night and rape them, at times in the presence of their husbands and children.
He was convicted on 35 counts of rape, 36 counts of house break-in and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Muridili said Maponya was sentenced to five life imprisonment terms and an additional 1 088 years.
Mawela has emphasised the importance of being sensitive towards the plight of women and children who are survivors of sexual offences during investigations to avoid secondary victimisation.
“Crimes against women and children remain a priority for the SAPS. That is the reason why these cases are investigated by the FCS, which is a specialised unit,” said Mawela, who encouraged the team to continue excelling in their investigations to bring justice to the survivors.
The recently appointed provincial head of FCS in Gauteng, Brig Pumzile Zulu, outlined her vision for the unit, starting with the review of all cases that have been closed as undetected and withdrawn.
“These cases are regarded as cold cases. We are reviewing them as they have the potential to be resolved successfully with the aim of ensuring maximum prosecution of all reported cases,” said Zulu.
She also called on the victims of sexual offences to report such cases to their nearest police stations to ensure evidence is preserved.
“Reporting a case within 72 hours ensures the preservation of evidence and gives the victim an opportunity to receive post-exposure prophylaxis, which assists in the prevention of contracting HIV,” Zulu concluded.
Muridili explained the FCS unit continues to sustain and enhance working relations with partners, such as the departments of Social Development and Health, to ensure the well-being of victims of sexual offences.
Victims of sexual offences may contact the GBVF call centre for assistance on 0800 428 428.
