HUMAN TRAFFICKERS SENTENCED FOR METING TERROR ON UNSUSPECTING WOMEN
The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg has sentenced Tshepo Motswasele (22) and Katlego Anele Rakgwale (20), each to 18 terms of life imprisonment with an additional 27 years imprisonment, while Cox Nhlanhla Molefe (23) and Noluthando Masia (21) will serve 18- and 20-years imprisonment respectively, for multiple counts including Trafficking in persons (TIP), kidnapping, rape, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, child pornography, pointing of something resembling a firearm and theft.
Their reign of terror started during the period May to July 2018, when they lured a 17-year-old victim to Fleurhof, where Motswasele, Rakgwale and Masia resided. She was promised money in exchange for sexual intercourse. On arrival, she was threatened with an object resembling a firearm and held against her will at the premises. She was further assaulted and raped repeatedly. She was threatened to such an extent that she was compelled to assist them in finding two more female victims, who were then made to suffer the same ordeal as she did. Photos and videos were taken whilst the accused took turns raping these women.
The accused released one of their victims when she pretended to be pregnant and bleeding. The accused however sourced another victim, and they took their three victims to Rakgwale’s family home in Dobsonville, where Accused 1 (Motswasele) and 3 (Molefe) raped them. The accused again released a victim when they realised that her boyfriend knew where she went to meet them.
After the police received information about what the accused were doing at their flat in Fleurhof, they raided the flat where they rescued victims 1 and 2. Accused 4 (Masia) was initially also treated as a victim, but during the investigations, her role and involvement became apparent, and she was arrested and charged accordingly.
In arguing for hefty sentences, Senior State Advocate Rolene Barnard, stated that trafficking in persons poses a risk to stability in society, causes humanitarian violations, and is equal to modern-day slavery. The investigating Officer, Captain Mokebe Madibo, and Adv. Barnard, are commended for their hard work in ensuring that these organised crime syndicates are removed from society.
