Discretion Advisory:
The following article contains distressing content related to sexual violence, kidnapping, and trauma experienced by victims. Reader discretion is strongly advised. The information presented may be upsetting to some individuals, particularly survivors of similar experiences or those sensitive to discussions of gender-based violence
In a courtroom that bore witness to both grief and relief, Nkosinathi Phakathi, infamously dubbed the Ekurhuleni serial rapist, has been sentenced to an unprecedented 791 years of direct imprisonment by the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court in Katlehong. This 40-year-old father of three from Daveyton now faces the grim reality of 42 life sentences for an appalling 90 counts of rape, alongside 43 counts of kidnapping, two counts of assault, four counts of theft, and four counts of compelled rape—a true testament to his reign of terror.
Phakathi’s campaign of horror began in June 2012, casting a long shadow over his community that lasted until his arrest in March 2020. His victims, tragically young, spanned from 12 to 20 years old and included both boys and girls. In a particularly egregious episode in 2015, he forced a 14-year-old boy to commit unspeakable acts against two 15-year-old girls, solidifying his status as a monster cloaked in deceit.
Under the guise of a municipal worker, Phakathi lured vulnerable individuals into his clutches, invading their homes and their lives. His conviction on 90 counts of rape, along with multiple charges of kidnapping and robbery, paints a harrowing picture of a predator who thrived on fear and manipulation.
As the courtroom echoed with tension, Magistrate Lesego Makolomakwe delivered a verdict that underscored the severity of Phakathi’s actions. “He is devoid of remorse, pleading guilty only due to the undeniable strength of the evidence against him,” she asserted. “These crimes were meticulously premeditated; he sought out the most vulnerable and terrorized them with a knife, forever altering the trajectory of their lives. Gender-based violence is a grave issue in our nation, and this sentence serves as a clarion call to all perpetrators that justice will prevail.”
Makolomakwe’s words resonated deeply, not only condemning Phakathi’s heinous acts but also highlighting the ongoing struggle against violence towards women and children.
The tale of Phakathi’s apprehension is as gripping as his crimes. Warrant Officer Tlala Mokwena, the investigating officer, recounted the frantic chase that culminated in his capture. “We pursued him for over 2 kilometers, firing two warning shots, yet he refused to stop until we incapacitated him with a shot to the leg,” Mokwena revealed. “Despite knowing the authorities were hot on his heels, he continued his spree. When I confronted him, he begged me to end his life, but I made it clear that he needed to face justice for his actions.”
The emotional toll of Phakathi’s crimes echoes loudly through the voices of his victims. The mother of one survivor, who wishes to remain anonymous to protect her family’s privacy, shared the lasting scars of trauma. “He has taken so much from us; he violated my daughter in front of my grandchild,” she lamented, her pain palpable. “The joy in our home has been irreparably stolen; seeing him today reopened wounds that may never heal.”
In a decisive move, the court ordered that Phakathi’s name be permanently added to the national registry of sexual offenders, ensuring his legacy as a reminder of the pervasive threat posed by such predators. Additionally, he has been stripped of the right to own a firearm, a crucial step in safeguarding the community from future harm.
