Nkosinathi Phakathi Biography: Nkosinathi Emmanuel Phakathi, also known as the “Ekurhuleni serial rapist,” was convicted of 90 counts of rape, alongside other crimes including kidnapping, sexual assault, and theft. His attacks, primarily on schoolgirls and young women, spanned nearly a decade from 2012 to 2021 in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. Phakathi was sentenced to 42 life terms plus 791 years in prison. He was caught after being shot by police and later linked to the crimes through DNA evidence and a detailed investigation.
Nkosinathi Phakathi Age
Nkosinathi Phakathi is 40 years old as of October 2024.
Nkosinathi Phakathi Nationality
Nkosinathi Phakathi is South African.
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Nkosinathi Phakathi Leg
Nkosinathi Phakathi, widely known as the “Ekurhuleni serial rapist,” became a notorious figure in South Africa due to his string of horrific crimes committed over nearly a decade. While his criminal acts of sexual violence are central to his infamy, another significant aspect of his story is the injury he sustained during his arrest, leading to the amputation of his leg. This injury and subsequent disability have shaped his trial and public image, adding a dramatic layer to the narrative surrounding his conviction.
Phakathi was arrested in March 2021 after being on the run for years. His crimes, spanning from 2012 to his capture, involved the rape of over 90 women and young girls, many of them school-going children, with the youngest victim being just nine years old. His modus operandi included luring victims by posing as a service technician, like an electrician or geyser repairman, to gain access to homes, where he would then assault his victims.
After years of evading capture, Phakathi’s arrest was dramatic and violent. As law enforcement closed in on him in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni, he tried to flee but was shot by police. This injury resulted in the amputation of one of his legs, drastically changing his physical condition and adding an element of frailty to his appearances during the trial.
The loss of his leg became a focal point during his court proceedings. Images of him entering the courtroom with crutches, head lowered to avoid media attention, captured public sympathy and interest. However, despite his physical condition, Phakathi’s trial did little to mitigate the outrage from the public and the judiciary. His disability, far from serving as a mitigating factor, was treated by many as inconsequential given the severity and brutality of his crimes. During the trial, Phakathi’s defense attempted to use his amputation to appeal for a lighter sentence, arguing that he was no longer physically capable of committing such crimes again. His legal team pointed out that he had spent over three years in custody, where he had come to terms with his disability and was no longer a threat.
Despite these claims, the court, led by Judge Lesego Makolomakwe, was unconvinced. The judge emphasized that the nature of Phakathi’s crimes, which involved meticulous planning, premeditation, and extreme cruelty, was too severe for any leniency to be granted. The prosecutor, Advocate Salome Scheepers, further emphasized that Phakathi’s amputation did not absolve him of the psychological and physical damage he inflicted on his victims, many of whom continue to suffer from trauma. Scheepers highlighted that Phakathi showed no genuine remorse for his actions, and his guilty plea was simply a response to overwhelming evidence, including DNA links to the crimes.
Ultimately, Phakathi was sentenced to 42 life terms plus an additional 791 years in prison. His injury, while a point of contention in court, did not alter the outcome of his trial. He was declared unfit to possess a firearm and was added to the National Register for Sexual Offenders and the National Child Protection.
Nkosinathi Phakathi Case
The case of Nkosinathi Phakathi, also known as the “Ekurhuleni Serial Rapist,” involves a staggering 90 counts of rape and numerous other charges, such as kidnapping, sexual assault, and theft. His crimes, which occurred between 2012 and 2021, primarily took place in the Ekurhuleni area of South Africa, east of Johannesburg. Phakathi’s victims were mostly schoolgirls and young women, and some of the youngest victims were as young as nine years old.
Phakathi’s modus operandi involved luring his victims through deception, often posing as a worker inspecting meter boxes, installing geysers, or pretending to be a person in need of assistance. He would gain the trust of his victims or their families before assaulting them, sometimes even in their homes. Many of his attacks were brutal, and in several cases, he forced other children to witness his sexual assaults, further traumatizing them. This aspect of his crimes is what shocked the nation, as the number of victims and the depravity of his acts were revealed during the trial.
He was arrested in March 2021 after years of evading capture. During his attempted escape from the police, he was shot, which led to the amputation of one of his legs. Despite his physical condition, Phakathi showed no remorse throughout the trial. His guilty plea, according to Judge Lesego Makolomakwe, was simply a result of overwhelming evidence, including DNA links, and not because of any genuine contrition.
The court sentenced him to 42 life terms in prison plus an additional 791 years and six months for his crimes. This severe sentence reflects the gravity of his actions, and his name has been added to the National Register for Sex Offenders. During the sentencing, the judge highlighted the enduring trauma his victims continue to face, some of whom suffer from flashbacks and live in fear. The case has become emblematic of the broader issue of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa, a country grappling with high rates of sexual violence.
Nkosinathi Phakathi Sentence
Nkosinathi Phakathi, also known as the “Ekurhuleni Serial Rapist,” was sentenced to 42 life terms in prison along with an additional 791 years and six months for his horrific crimes. He was convicted of 90 counts of rape, alongside other charges including kidnapping, sexual assault, compelling a minor to witness sexual acts, theft, and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. His crimes, which occurred between 2012 and 2021 in the Ekurhuleni region, targeted women and children, with victims ranging in age from 9 to 44 years old.
Phakathi’s sentencing occurred on October 4, 2024, at the Johannesburg High Court. During the trial, it was revealed that he used deception to lure his victims, often pretending to be a utility worker or someone in need of help. His predatory behavior included assaulting young schoolgirls and making minors witness the sexual assaults of others. His actions have left a deep and lasting impact on his victims, many of whom are still dealing with the psychological trauma caused by his attacks.
In a rare moment of fate, Phakathi’s arrest in 2021 in Barcelona, Etwatwa, was followed by a gunshot wound that resulted in his leg being amputated. Despite his injuries, his sentencing reflects the severity of his crimes, as Judge Lesego Makolomakwe emphasized that Phakathi lacked genuine remorse and that his crimes were premeditated and meticulously executed. Phakathi’s name will also be added to South Africa’s National Register for Sex Offenders, barring him from ever working with children.
This case has sparked renewed outrage over the country’s ongoing battle with gender-based violence, with the court expressing hope that Phakathi’s life sentences would serve as a strong deterrent to other potential offenders. Despite government programs aimed at curbing sexual violence, cases like Phakathi’s illustrate that the challenge remains daunting.
