News24 | Soweto serial rapist handed two life terms

Serial rapist Thapelo Malatji was sentenced in the Protea Regional Court for a series of crimes committed in Dobsonville since 2011. (mathiasalexander/Getty Images)

Thirteen years since committing his first crime, Thapelo Malatji, 45, a serial rapist from Soweto, was on Friday sentenced to two life terms.

Malatji appeared in the Protea Regional Court for a series of crimes committed in Dobsonville since 2011, including aggravated robbery.

His modus operandi involved robbing victims at gunpoint, taking them to a secluded area, and then repeatedly raping them.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said one of Malatji's victims was robbed of a laptop, R6 000 in cash, a cellphone, a handbag, bank cards and shoes, in addition to being assaulted.

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"The accused was initially apprehended in North West on charges of theft, and further investigation by Sergeant Twala revealed a connection to a string of cases in Soweto," she said.

"As a result, the accused was subsequently taken into custody on 31 July 2020 in the Soweto case. Malatji faced a range of charges."

Besides the life terms for rape, he also received 30 years for two counts of aggravated robbery and 30 years for two counts of kidnapping.