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Cellphone led cop to 'serial rapist killer'

Traced through a mobile phone: File photo of alleged serial rapist and murderer Thabang John Mohorosi
Traced through a mobile phone: File photo of alleged serial rapist and murderer Thabang John Mohorosi

WHEN alleged serial rapist and murderer Thabang John Mohorosi was arrested last year, he was found in possession of a cellphone belonging to one of his victims, the Bloemfontein High Court has been told

Mohorosi faces several charges of murder, rape and robbery.

Captain Mthunzi Dasheka said he arrested Mohorosi while investigating a missing cellphone.

He said Mohorosi started crying in the cells and asked what the sentence was for raping and killing a woman.

Dasheka had earlier testified that Mantoa Mohapi's badly decomposed and naked body was found in the veld eight days after she was last seen alive on December 15 2010.

"I traced [the cellphone] through the network provider and discovered the sim card had once been used by Molikeng Molikeng, whom I approached on May 20 2011.

"Molikeng's brother took us to a house where the phone was. At the house we found Mohorosi with his wife," said Dasheka.

"Mohorosi's wife claimed she had been given the phone by her husband, but the sim card was missing.

"I then explained his rights to him and arrested him for the rape and murder of Mohapi. We then confiscated the cellphone."

At the Bloemspruit police station Mohorosi allegedly asked to speak to Dasheka.

"He started crying and asked me what the sentence was for raping and killing a woman. He then said he had raped and killed Mohapi."

Two days later Dasheka again went to the police station.

"[Mohorosi] cried again and said he wanted to clear his conscience. He said he had killed a schoolgirl and another woman before dumping their bodies in the veld.

"The schoolgirl was 15-year-old Palesa Thakho and the woman was Xoliswa Lalape. He said Thakho's death gave him sleepless nights."

He testified that Mohorosi told him that Lalape's cellphone was at his house.

"He said he had raped and killed her before taking her cellphone. I went to his house and his wife gave me the phone," Dasheka said.

Thakho disappeared on February 18 2011 on her way home from school. Her badly decomposed body was found on March 2 2011.

Lalape was last seen alive on April 18 2011 and her body was discovered 10 days later.

Mohorosi has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

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