GAUTENG – Thorough investigation and collection of evidence by the investigating officer led to the successful conviction and sentencing of Joseph Tebogo Mhlanga (32) who raped three women in Soshanguve and committed a string of housebreaking and theft.
Mhlanga was handed a life sentence for each of the three rapes, 15 years for robbery aggravating and 4 years for each house breaking and theft at Soshanguve Magistrates Court on 31 August 2020
Mhlanga and his accomplice that is still on the run, took turns to rape two ladies in Soshanguve in April 2011 before robbing them of their cellphones and money. Again in June 2011, he intercepted a teenager while on her way to school in Soshanguve and raped her.
The docket was assigned to Detective Sergeant Abram Naledi Kgosana, from Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Tshwane to carry out the investigation. He immediately started with the investigation, searching for the suspects and ensuring that he leaves no stone unturned. He followed all the leads until he eventually arrested Mhlanga on the 23 August 2018 and charged him with three counts of rape and robbery aggravating.
The investigating officer went an extra mile to check if there were no other cases where Mhlanga could be linked. Truly, through the reports from SAPS forensic laboratories, Mhlanga was linked to four more cases of housebreaking and theft committed in Soshanguve between July 2013 and June 2014.
All the cases were presented at Soshanguve Magistrates Court with all necessary evidence.
Mhlanga was convicted on all the charges and will spend three lifes and 31 years in jail. This hefty sentence is attributed to the commitment, hard work and dedication of Detective Sergeant Kgosana to his work. The victims can now find closure.
Provincial Commissioner of the police in Gauteng Lieutenant General Elias Mawela commended the investigating officer for his sterling investigation and believes that the suspect that is still at large will be arrested soon.

Source: South African Police Service