On 15 October 2021, Pietermaritzburg High Court convicted and sentenced serial rapist Bongani Mokoena (36), to five terms of life imprisonment for five counts of rape, 30 years for two counts of robbery, nine years for three counts of kidnaping and three years’ imprisonment for assault with the purpose to inflict grievous bodily harm.
These incidents took place in the Mountain Rise area between 10 August 2018 and 18 October 2018 where he raped victims aged between14 and 33.
His modus operandi was to lure victims who were walking around the area looking for employment. He will inform them that his employer was looking for a domestic assistant to help at his home.
The victim believed Mokoena and followed him to the said employer, while walking he overpowered, dragged them into the bush, assaulted, raped and robbed them of their belongings.
Mokoena stabbed two victims who were fortunate enough to survive the stabbing. They were taken to hospital for medical attention.
The cases were opened at Mountain Rise police station and the docket were transferred to Pietermaritzburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for further investigation.
The accused heard that the police were looking for him and went into hiding. The investigation led the police to Masukwana in Pietermaritzburg where the accused was arrested.
He was positively identified by all five victims and was charged accordingly. He made several court appearances until he was found guilty and sentenced.
