The Pretoria High Court sitting in Palm Ridge has sentenced Ekurhuleni serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi to 42 life terms and 791 years and 6 months direct imprisonment.
The charges include rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, compelling or causing a child to witness a sexual act and theft.
The court also ordered that the 40-year-old Phakathi be declared unfit to possess a firearm, and his name be added on the National Register for Sexual Offenders and the National Child Protection Register.
Furthermore, acting Judge Lesego Makolomakwe, ordered that the victims be informed when Phakathi is considered for parole, to enable them to make representations.
According to the state, Phakathi committed these offences in and around Ekurhuleni, from June 2012 until March 2021 when he was arrested, after he was linked through DNA evidence.
Judge Makolomakwe said Phakathi showed no remorse, beyond rehabilitation, and that the courts had a responsibility to protect communities against perpetrators such as Phakathi.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence.
“We welcome the sentence, hoping that it’ll send a strong message that the NPA takes matters of sexual offences seriously.
“We also thank the dedication and commitment by the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Tlala Mokoena which led to the conviction and sentence,” said NPA Gauteng spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.
