POLOKWANE – A serial rapist, Sipho Justice Machete (41) of Mopani was sentenced to a life imprisonment by the Polokwane High Court today for multiple counts of rape, robbery and assault with an intent to cause bodily harm.

The court heard that accused Machete started a reign of terror against vulnerable women and children in the Tzaneen, Modjadjiskloof, and Bolebedu areas in the Mopani District between the year 2005 and 2019. Machete’s victims were women and children with ages ranging from 14 to 58.

In his 14 years of terror Machete used to ambush and rape women and teenagers walking in the dark, especially those going and coming back from their workplaces.

Those who refused to cooperate were threatened with a knife before they could be raped and robbed off their belongings.

A breakthrough came in February 2024 when the accused was traced to Midrand, in the Gauteng Province. Advanced DNA analysis conclusively linked Machete to multiple crime scenes, bringing an end to his 14-year reign of terror.

The comprehensive investigation was conducted by Sergeant Mokgadi Matjeka of the Provincial Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences , Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit who meticulously built the case and successfully opposed bail.

The Polokwane High Court heard extensive evidence of Justice’s systematic pattern of sexual violence and robbery. The court’s decision to impose a 25-year effective sentence reflects the severity and impact of these crimes on the victims and the broader community.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe praised the SECI UNIT, particularly the investigating officer for the excellent work.