The Polokwane Division of the High Court sentenced 43-year-old Moses Mushe Shilabi to four life terms and an additional 70 years and six months in prison on Thursday, June 4, 2026, for a series of violent offenses committed over a 12-year period.
Shilabi, a resident of Lulekani township, was convicted on 14 counts, including rape, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, common robbery, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft, sexual assault, and assault GBH. The crimes were committed against female victims between the ages of 23 and 54 across the Lulekani, Phalaborwa, and Hoedspruit policing areas between July 2012 and December 2024.
During the trial, the court heard that Shilabi drove a white VW Polo and targeted women seeking transport in the Phalaborwa precinct. He would offer the victims a lift before diverting to remote, bushy areas where he assaulted and raped them.
The cases were transferred to the Phalaborwa Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit for investigation. Shilabi was subsequently arrested on April 6, 2024, while at work in the Leboeng policing area of the Sekhukhune District.
Investigating officer Sergeant Luphondo Mkansi successfully opposed the accused’s bail until sentencing. Forensic DNA analysis proved crucial in linking Shilabi to the crimes and securing the convictions. Further investigations revealed that Shilabi is a repeat offender who previously served a 15-year sentence for rape at Thohoyandou Correctional Services.
On June 4, 2026, the High Court handed down the following sentences for the 14 counts:
Count 1: Housebreaking with intent to steal and theft – 5 years imprisonment.
Count 2: Common robbery – 7 years imprisonment.
Count 3: Rape – Life imprisonment.
Count 4: Kidnapping – 2 years imprisonment.
Count 5: Common robbery – 7 years imprisonment.
Count 6: Assault GBH – 6 months imprisonment.
Count 7: Sexual assault – 5 years imprisonment.
Count 8: Kidnapping – 2 years imprisonment.
Count 9: Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 20 years imprisonment.
Count 10: Rape – Life imprisonment.
Count 11: Kidnapping – 2 years imprisonment.
Count 12: Rape – Life imprisonment.
Count 13: Rape – Life imprisonment.
Count 14: Robbery with aggravating circumstances – 20 years imprisonment.
