Phakathi’s victims elated by 42 life terms handed to the serial rapist

The victims of Nkosinathi Phakathi have welcomed the 42 life terms handed to the has been sentenced to the notorious Ekurhuleni serial rapist. This means he will serve 791 years and six months direct imprisonment.

Acting Judge, Lesego Makolomakwe, delivered the ruling in a courtroom filled with some survivors of Phakathi’s heinous crimes.

In 2022, the 38-year-old was found guilty of 90 rape charges, 43 of kidnapping, two counts of assault, and four counts of theft, among others.

Phakathi’s reign of terror began in 2012 and ended in 2021. The majority of his victims were school-going children, with the youngest being nine years old.

His name will now be added to the registrar of sexual offenders, and he is deemed unfit to possess a firearm.

Speaking outside the Pretoria High Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, some of Phakathi’s victims said justice has finally been served.

“At times we thought the law had failed us because there was a time where the case was put on hold, however seeing it come back and some movement, we were so grateful.”

“Police worked on this case, they didn’t fail us,” added one of the rape survivors.

She says she will be seeking counselling, with the hope that she will finally be able to put this ordeal to rest.

Another victim has expressed immense gratitude to all the police officers, who made sure that Phakathi is behind bars.

“I hope this serves as a lesson to all perpetrators that you cannot play around with people’s lives.”

She says her daughter was molested by Phakathi in front of her minor.

The mother lamented the court’s decision to allow Phakathi to hide his face during today’s proceedings.

“While we appreciate the fact that everyone has rights when he was doing these terrible things, he did them without hiding his face. So, I don’t know why they allowed him to wear masks and caps. We wanted the whole world to see what he did.”

Head of advocacy at Women and Men Against Child Abuse, Luke Lamprecht, also believes that the ruling will send a strong message to perpetrators.

Lamprecht has, however, criticised the country’s parole board, which he says, it sometimes grants parole to dangerous offenders.

“We have seen life sentences look good, but when they end up with the parole board and the minister (of justice and correctional services), we get people paroled and they are not supposed to be free.”

“We encourage communities to be involved with the parole board so that we can oppose parole when it comes up after 25 years.”