Groblersdal police woman secures life sentences for sex offenders on GBVF period

Groblersdal

Putting more efforts to address violence against women and children, beyond the 16 Days of Activism Campaign on Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), determined Sergeant Pebetse Vanessa Maile (38), has managed to track down sex offenders who were later handed hefty sentences.

Maile is a seasoned detective attached to the Groblersdal Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit who worked meticulously and secured 11 life terms plus a combined 74 years imprisonment in just 10 years since she joined the Unit.

Sergeant Maile in 2016, cracked one of the complex cases in which a 20-year-old woman was raped by two unknown men after she hitchhiked their motor vehicle at Middleburg Policing area to Stofberg outside Groblersdal.

Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said the two suspects, instead drove to a secluded area at Magagatala in Groblersdal Policing area where they took turns in raping the woman.

“The suspects then left the victim stranded and she was assisted by other motorists. She opened a case of rape at the Laersdrift Police Station in Mpumalanga Province and it was transferred to Groblersdal on the same date,” explained Mashaba.

He said the sergeant applied her detective skills and immediately contacted the LCRC officer on duty and they visited the scene, where they collected all the evidence including cigarettes buds as part of the investigation.

“The sergeant also visited the victim and re-interviewed her. She was able to acquire comprehensive information about the description of the suspects and their vehicle. The suspects were arrested following the identification parade,” he said.

Mashaba indicated that Sergeant Maile successfully opposed bail until the DNA results came back positive and the two accused, Sipho Seroke Mampa, who was then 34 years of age and Obed Methukwane Pilusa (32), were then convicted for rape and sentenced to life imprisonment each.

After securing the hefty sentences, Maile revealed that she is guided by God and He is the one who gives her more strength and instructions.

“I also believe discipline and commitment in the working environment is key to success. I tackle each case with enthusiasm and resilience as if it’s my fist day on the job,” remarked Sergeant Maile.