Staff Reporter
The Brandfort Magistrates Court has sentenced a police officer to an effective 10 years’ imprisonment after he was convicted on two counts of rape, corruption and defeating the administration of justice.
Warrant Officer Molahlehi Phuroe was jailed for raping two women in 2016.
The National Prosecution Authority said the two women had assault charges laid against them and the investigating officer was Phuroe.
The prosecutor decided not to place the assault cases against the two women on the court roll.
However, Phuroe went to both women and threatened to place their cases back on the court roll unless they had sexual intercourse with him.
They each agreed to have sexual intercourse with Phuroe, fearing that he would place their cases on the court roll.
Whenever Phuroe saw the women, he would remind them that they had to continue sleeping with him if they did not want him to place their cases on the court roll.
At one stage, the women got together, discussed what Phuroe had done to them and decided to lay rape charges against him.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s Sello Mosiuoa probed the matter and Phuroe was charged on two counts of rape, corruption and defeating the administration of justice.
State prosecutor Emmanuel Ali told the court that Phuroe abused his position of authority as a police officer.
“The victims looked up to the accused for protection but instead he violated them,” said Ali.
“Even after overwhelming evidence was presented against him, his explanation was a bare denial indicating that both victims and the station commander plotted the charges against him. He failed to show any remorse.”
Magistrate Dumisani Sisusa sentenced Phuroe to 10 years for each count of rape and five years for corruption and defeating the administration of justice.
He, however, ordered the sentences to run concurrently and Phuroe will effectively serve 10 years’ imprisonment.