SERIAL RAPIST SENTENCED TO FOUR LIFE TERMS AND 79 YEARS’ DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR VIOLENT CRIMES

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence of four life terms handed down by the Pretoria High Court to Tshepo Murendeni Mulovhedzi (30) from Mamelodi. He was convicted of the rape of an 11-year-old girl, the premeditated murder and rape of 25-year-old Dolly Phoko Seoka, the rape of a 25-year-old woman, and the rape of a 27-year-old woman. He was further sentenced to 30 years’ direct imprisonment for two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances,30 years’ direct imprisonment for three counts of attempted murder,10 years’ direct imprisonment for the rape of a 21-year-old woman,6 years’ direct imprisonment for two counts of housebreaking with intent to rape and 3 years’ direct imprisonment for theft. The court also ordered that Mulovhedzi’s name be entered into the National Register for Sexual Offenders and declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

In the early hours of 09 October 2021, the 11-year-old girl was sleeping with her younger sibling at her residence in Soshanguve when Mulovhedzi broke into the house and entered her bedroom. He told the victim that her mother owed him money and instructed her to look for it under the mattress. While she was doing so, he grabbed her by the throat, raped her, and fled the scene. The victim reported the incident to neighbours, who contacted her mother and the police. In the early hours of 19 September 2022, Dolly Phoko Seoka (25) and her two friends were walking home through the veld from a nearby tavern in Mamelodi when Mulovhedzi approached them from behind. He hit Seoka on the head with a rock and struck her friend in the face. The two friends fled to seek help, leaving Seoka unconscious. Mulovhedzi dragged her further into the veld, raped her, and fled. Seoka’s friends and their caretaker later found her lifeless body and alerted the police.

At midnight on 09 October 2022, a 27-year-old woman was walking home from plaiting a client’s hair in Mamelodi with her male cousin when Mulovhedzi approached them from behind. He hit the cousin on the head with a brick, rendering him unconscious, and took his cellphone. He then chased the woman, strangled her until she lost consciousness, raped her, and fled. The victim later regained consciousness, went home, and reported the matter to the police. On 15 October 2022, Mulovhedzi broke into the home of a 21-year-old woman in Mamelodi. He asked where her mother was, then forced her into her mother’s bedroom, threatened her with a knife, and raped her before fleeing. Mulovhedzi was arrested on 17 June 2025 while in custody on another matter. The victims received medical, psychological, and legal assistance at the Mamelodi Thuthuzela Care Centre (TCC).

In court, Mulovhedzi pleaded guilty and claimed he committed the offences because he had been “bewitched” by his uncle. During sentencing, his legal representative asked the court to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences, citing his difficult upbringing and guilty plea. State prosecutor Advocate Vusimuzi Tshabalala argued strongly against deviation, highlighting the extreme seriousness and prevalence of the crimes, Mulovhedzi’s lack of genuine remorse, and his pattern of preying on vulnerable women and children. He noted that Mulovhedzi was arrested while already serving a sentence for murdering another woman, indicating he remained a danger to society. Victim Impact Statements, facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Lebogang Lebese, detailed the profound emotional, physical, mental, and financial harm suffered by the victims and their families.

Judge Mashudu Munzhelele agreed with the state. He described Mulovhedzi’s actions as brutal invasions of the victims’ privacy, dignity, bodily integrity, and security. The judge emphasised the callous disregard for constitutional rights and the clear pattern of predatory behaviour, finding no substantial and compelling circumstances to deviate from the prescribed minimum sentences.

The NPA reiterates its unwavering commitment to the relentless prosecution of crimes against women, children, and other vulnerable persons, ensuring that justice is pursued without fear, favour, or prejudice.

The NPA applauds the dedicated work of the Thuthuzela Care Centre, the state prosecutor, and the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Herman Mangwane.

Issued by:

Lumka Mahanjana

NPA Regional Spokesperson

Gauteng Division: Pretoria