A serial rapist, Nkosinathi Emmanuel Phakathi, has been sentenced to 42 life terms and 791 years and 6 months imprisonment by the Pretoria High Court in South Africa.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced the sentence on Friday, October 4, 2024, saying that Phakathi was found guilty of 94 counts of rape, kidnapping, assault, and other related offenses. He targeted young school-going children and adults, raping some in their own homes.
Phakathi was arrested in 2021 and linked to the crimes through DNA evidence. During his sentencing hearing, he pleaded guilty to some of the charges but denied any remorse for his actions.
The prosecutor argued that Phakathi’s crimes were heinous and had a devastating impact on his victims. The judge agreed and imposed a lengthy sentence, stating that it was necessary to protect the community from such a dangerous individual.
The NPA welcomed the sentence and praised the investigating officer for his work in bringing Phakathi to justice.
NPA stated: “The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, hoping that the sentence will 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 Mokoena which led to the conviction and sentence”.
