Nkosinathi Phakathi, a notorious serial rapist in South Africa, has been sentenced to 42 life terms for his heinous crimes committed between 2012 and 2021.
The 40-year-old was convicted of 90 counts of rape, with victims as young as nine years old.
Phakathi’s modus operandi was particularly disturbing, as he would often force children to watch him rape his victims and even compelled young boys to rape their female friends.
Phakathi’s crimes took place in Ekurhuleni, a municipality east of Johannesburg, where he targeted schoolchildren and women traveling to or from work or school.
He would sometimes gain entry into his victims’ homes by pretending to be an electrician.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that Phakathi showed “no remorse and was beyond rehabilitation”.
Phakathi’s crimes are just a reminder of South Africa’s violent crime rate, with rape and murder being rampant
According to police data, there were over 9,300 reported rapes between April and June this year, a 0.6% increase from the same period last year.
During his sentencing, Phakathi, who lost his leg after being shot by police during his arrest in 2021, sat in the dock with his head resting on his arms, holding onto his crutches.
Judge Lesego Makolomakwe handed down the maximum sentence, citing Phakathi’s lack of remorse and the severity of his crimes.
