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Alleged serial rapist and murderer used same modus operandi on victims

The South High Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Tuesday heard how an alleged serial rapist and murderer used the same modus operandi on his victims.

Thapelo Motseki allegedly kidnapped‚ raped and later strangled three teenage girls and one of his colleagues.

Motseki’s alleged first victim was Emerencia Botshelo Kgakatsi‚ 17‚ who was last seen alive on April 30‚ 2013 in Seraleng in Rusteburg‚ North West‚ on her way to visit her boyfriend Koketso Mosime in Kanana‚ also in Rustenburg.

She was later raped and strangled to death allegedly by Motseki‚ 32.

State witness Thabang Lesenyeho testified that he last saw Thapelo Motseki with Emerencia Botshelo Kgakatsi‚ 17‚

a night before her body was found on May 1 2013.

Motseki has pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder‚ four of rape and three of kidnapping.

Her victims included Emerencia‚ Lungile Kubheka‚ 15‚ Thembelihle Dlamini‚ 16 and his colleague Cinthiah Anikie Setuke‚ 36.

Lungile’s body was found on August 6‚ 2013 in a yard opposite her parental home in Snake Park‚ Soweto‚ while Thembelihle’s body was found on May 25‚ 2014‚ in a yard a few houses away from her home.

The three teenagers were kidnapped‚ raped and later strangled to death‚ allegedly by Motsime.

He allegedly used a similar modus operandi when he kidnapped‚ raped and later strangled the trio to death‚ except for Setuke who was attacked while performing her duties.

Setuke’s body was found in a mine shaft on October 9‚ 2013 at Aquarius Platinum Mine in Rustenburg. She had also been raped and strangled to death.

 Setuke and Motseki were underground working when Motseki allegedly pounced on her and sexually penetrated her before killing her.

Motseki on Tuesday claimed that he was in a relationship with Lungile and on August 5‚ 2013‚ she visited him around 4pm at his home in Snake Park and they had sex before she left at 6pm.

The trial continues.

 

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