Ekhuruleni rapist pleads for death penalty

Convicted serial rapist, Nkosinathi Phakathi, has pleaded for the death penalty as his sentencing continues at the High Court sitting in Palm Ridge. 

Phakati has been convicted of 148 charges, including kidnapping, robbery, and over 90 counts of rape, with most of his victims being innocent schoolgirls, with the youngest being just 12 years old. 

His reign of terror lasted nine years, during which he posed as an electrician to target young victims at their homes while their parents were away.

He was arrested in 2022 after allegedly attempting to return to the home of one of his victims. 

The dramatic arrest saw him shot in the leg while trying to flee from police officers, resulting in the amputation of his leg.

A social worker assigned to his case today revealed that Phakathi’s history of violence dates back to primary school, where he displayed disturbing and violent behaviour, including speaking in tongues at night. 

His family sought spiritual intervention from the church, but he stopped attending after securing a job in 2015.

The social worker testified that Phakathi plans to take his own life after his eldest daughter completes her matric this year. 

She’s described this as a selfish attempt to avoid accountability. 

She added that his brutal acts, including raping schoolgirls in uniform, some who are his own daughter’s age, highlights his disturbing inhumanity.

The social worker testified that the 38-year-old’s calculated actions, such as avoiding victims in his own neighbourhood and targeting areas like Benoni, demonstrated his sound mind and desire to avoid detection.

The social worker’s evidence contradicts the defence’s argument that Phakathi should serve his sentence in a psychiatric facility.

She said the serial rapist’s ability to return home to his family after committing heinous crimes proves his high levels of premeditation.

The sentencing proceedings continue, with the court considering the social worker’s written evidence to determine the length of Phakati’s sentence.