Rapist prayed with his victim

A serial rapist prayed with one of his victims after he raped her, the court heard yesterday before the man was convicted on five charges of rape and three of robbery.

Thabiso Mofokeng, 26, committed the crimes in the first six months of 2014.

Judge Nomonde Mnqibisa found him not guilty on three more charges of rape, one of attempted murder and two of robbery with aggravated circumstances.

Delivering judgment in the South Gauteng High Court sitting in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court, Mnqibisa said Tamil*, of Elsburg on the East Rand, was on her morning jog when Mofokeng attacked her. He dragged her into the bushes, strangled her until she passed out and raped her.

When she woke up her pants were undone and her wedding ring was missing.

Jodi* was on her way to school in the Elsburg area when Mofokeng chased her down, robbed her of her cellphone and strangled her. He pulled her into nearby bushes and raped her. When Jodi started praying for her own safety, Mofokeng joined her in prayer, Mnqibisa said.

Mofokeng not only strangled his next victim but also injected Maggie* with an unknown substance that caused her to lose consciousness. When Maggie woke up, her underwear was around her knees and her laptop and cellphone were gone.

Mofokeng pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Sentencing proceedings are set to start on March 30.

* Not their real names