Social media rapist Victor Mokoena gets 4 life terms for raping women

The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg has permanently removed 26-year-old Victor Mokoena from society. The National Prosecuting Authority confirmed on August 13, 2026, that the serial offender received four life sentences for his reign of terror against women.

Beyond the life terms, Mokoena was convicted of a string of other violent crimes, including attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. He also faced charges for assault and pointing a fake firearm, with additional sentences for these crimes set to run concurrently with his life imprisonment.

A Fake Portfolio for Predators

Mokoena's modus operandi relied on deception and the allure of the entertainment industry. Between March 2021 and October 2024, he posed as a professional photographer and talent promoter on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

He used the promise of lucrative modeling contracts and professional photoshoots to gain the trust of his victims. Once he successfully lured them to isolated spots, he would turn violent, strangling the women and stealing their belongings.

In a calculated move to evade capture, Mokoena would access the victims' phones to delete any digital trail or messages that could link him to the crimes. However, meticulous work by Sergeant Nedombeloni eventually connected the cases using forensic digital evidence.

Public Reaction and Comparisons

The details of the case have sparked intense debate online, with many South Africans noting the similarities between Mokoena and the infamous 'Facebook Rapist' Thabo Bester. Like Bester, Mokoena exploited social media to groom and entrap vulnerable women looking for career opportunities.

State Advocate Hope Zwane led the prosecution, ensuring the court heard the full extent of the trauma inflicted on the survivors. The heavy sentencing serves as a stern warning against the growing trend of digital grooming in the country.

A String of Serious Convictions

This ruling follows another high-profile case in the region where attorney Thubelihle Sbonakaliso Mpisi was also handed a life sentence. Mpisi was convicted of the brutal murder of his partner, Mahlako Malebo Rabalao, whose body was found in a burnt-out car.