Durban, October 5: Nkosinathi Phakathi, a South African serial rapist, has been sentenced to 42 life terms for his heinous crimes, which included 90 counts of rape committed between 2012 and 2021. Phakathi’s victims ranged from as young as nine years old to 44 years old, with the majority being schoolchildren. His brutal acts often involved making children watch the assaults and forcing young boys to rape their female friends.

BBC reported that Phakathi’s crimes were primarily committed in Ekurhuleni, a municipality near Johannesburg. He targeted individuals traveling to or from work or school and sometimes gained entry to homes by pretending to be an electrician. His arrest in 2021 resulted in him losing a leg after being shot by police. South Africa Horror: 2 Black Women Searching For Food Killed, Fed to Pigs by White Farmer and His Employees in Polokwane.

The Johannesburg High Court, during his sentencing, spoke about Phakathi’s lack of remorse and deemed him beyond rehabilitation. The judge’s decision to impose 42 life sentences reflects the severity of his crimes and the impact on his numerous victims. US Shocker: Teenager Sets Up Camera in Mall Restroom, Records Videos of Women and Minor Girls in New Jersey; Arrested.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of violent crime in South Africa, where rape and murder rates remain alarmingly high. Phakathi’s sentencing is seen as a significant step towards justice for the victims, although the trauma inflicted on them is immeasurable.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) expressed hope that the sentence would bring some sense of justice to the victims and their families. South Africa continues to grapple with high rates of sexual violence, with over 9,300 rapes reported between April and June this year alone.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 05, 2024 11:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).