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Media Statement POTCHEFSTROOM – The Bafokeng Regional Court in Tlhabane sentenced Tshepo Tshwagong, 31, to three life terms on Wednesday, 08 May 2024. Tshwagong’ sentencing follows his arrest and subsequent linkage with three cases of rape committed between February 2018 and November 2020 in Phokeng and Boitekong. According to reports, the accused dragged a 29-year-old woman into the bushes, then strangled and raped her on Wednesday evening, 07 February 2018, at Rafreddy Section. Evidence led in court revealed that Tshwagong also raped the second victim, aged 35, on Friday morning, 04 May 2018, at Seraleng after dragging her also into the bushes and strangled her. The victim was at the time of the incident, going to work. In the third incident on Monday morning, 11 May 2020, the convict raped a 32-year-old woman at Rafreddy Section, Phokeng. Similarly, the accused dragged the victim into the bushes, then strangled and raped her. The long arm of the law caught up with the accused on Wednesday, 06 January 2021, for three separate cases of rape and robbery. He was sentenced to two life terms, 20 years’ imprisonment for rape and 12 years’ for robbery. While serving the sentences, he was linked through the DNA with the 2018 and 2020 cases. Due to overwhelming evidence, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three life terms. In aggravating for sentence the Prosecutor, Advocate Zola Mpayipheli indicated that Tshwagong is a serial rapist and that he ruthlessly targeted his victims whom he strangled and raped. Count two and three will run concurrently with count one. The Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, praised the Investigating Officer, Segeant Obakeng Rasego and Advocate Zola Mpayipheli for their diligence and cooperation, which culminated in the successful prosecution and imposing of maximum sentences on the accused. Ends
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