| Sergeant Mpho Mukununde put 15 east rand serial rapists behind bars | |
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| Date Published: | 2023/12/06 |
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Media Statement PRETORIA - This year, the South African Police Service (SAPS) observes the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign (25 November to 10 December) by celebrating its men and women in blue who go beyond the call of duty to protect women, children and other vulnerable persons. Today, we introduce the nation to Sergeant Mpho Mukununde, a detective attached to the Katlehong Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Investigations (FCS) unit in Gauteng. Mukununde joined the Service 16 years ago as a student Constable. She always knew that she was destined to be a detective and went on to complete various internal detective related courses. And, in 2011 she joined Katlehong FCS as an investigator. Mukununde’s meticulous investigations resulted in 15 rapists being removed from society with a collective number of sentences of one life term and 107 year’s imprisonment to date. Her career showcases many highlights, but one case that particularly stands out from the rest is the sentencing of a convicted rapist to 35 years’ imprisonment by the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court in 2016 for rape and robbery with a weapon other than a firearm. In 2013 the 23-year-old accused and an unknown accomplice attacked a 25-year-old woman and her eight-year-old son inside their home in Phola Park, Thokoza. The duo both raped the woman in front of her son before they fled the scene. The case was assigned to Mukununde who immediately commenced with her investigations, but the case turned ‘cold’ with no further positive leads; the duo was unknown at that stage. Mukununde vividly recalls how the victim’s son broke down in tears while he narrated what had happened to them when she took down their statements. Like with any other case, she vowed to seek justice for these two victims. After Mukununde returned back from maternity leave in 2015 a DNA forensic lead from the SAPS’ Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) landed on her desk linking a suspect to one of her cases. She ecstatically recognised it to be the Phola Park incident. Wasting no time, Mukununde analysed the new lead, traced and arrested the suspect within several days. Her sterling investigations led to a water-tight case against the accused in court. “The phrase ‘GIVING UP’ does not exist in my vocabulary and I therefore do my utmost best to identify, trace and arrest perpetrators of crime,” said Mukununde. Mukununde also urges teenagers and youth to refrain from attending ‘pens down’ celebrations which may involve the use of drugs and alcohol as it often leads to incidents of crime. Sergeant Mpho Mukununde is truly a 'gift' to the community she serves as her ‘go-getter’ attitude will result in more rapists being put behind bars! Ends
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