A Randburg police constable convicted of rape, robbery and kidnapping was handed five life sentences and an additional 284 years by the High Court in Johannesburg, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said on Sunday.
Mokolo Karpos Molekoa, 38, was sentenced on Friday, said IPID spokesman Moses Dlamini.
"[He] was convicted... after standing trial for 47 (charges) ranging from 17 counts of rape, 13 counts of robbery and 17 counts of kidnapping," Dlamini said.
He was acquitted on some of the charges.
Molekoa allegedly committed the crimes between 2011 and 2012 around Tembisa, Olifantsfontein, Ivory Park, Randburg and other areas.
Dlamini said they started investigating two cases of rape but they soon linked the policeman to other unsolved rape cases.
"In some of the offences, the policeman acted with civilian accomplices," said Dlamini.
"[He] still has to answer to additional cases in Hammanskraal and Polokwane."
Dlamini said they welcomed the sentence.
"The IPID is satisfied with the sentence as it closes a painful chapter for the victims, some of whom were teenagers when they were raped," said Dlamini.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 
