Johannesburg - The case of the Ekurhuleni serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi has been postponed to March 2023 for the finalisation of sentencing, which was stalled by the lack of a psychosocial report yesterday (on Thursday).
The sentencing proceedings, which began in November, are expected to carry over into the new year after the high Court sitting at the Palmridge Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng set them down for between March 27 and 31, 2023.
This is because the defence has not been able to secure a pre-sentencing psychosocial report from a clinical psychologist in time for these proceedings.
The lawyer representing the accused told the court that the report will only be made available on March 1, 2023, which is why he would like the case to resume later in March..
"The sought-after psychosocial report may only be available on the 1st of March 2023. My Lordship, we propose that this court postpones this matter to the 27th of March 2023. This date has been agreed to, or rather discussed and agreed to, between myself and the State. I hope the date is suitable for My Lordship," the accused’s lawyer said.
Last month, Phakathi was found guilty of all 148 charges by the high court, which range from rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft and possession of an unlicensed firearm.
He pleaded guilty to preying on women in the Ekurhuleni area, east of Johannesburg, for nine years.
His rape spree dates back to 2012. Some of his victims were as young as 9, 11, and 13 years old. Phakathi’s rape survivors will have to wait another three months for justice.
Phakathi’s litany of charges points to a man who was relentless and went on a rampage in the area of Ekurhuleni, where he raped and sexually assaulted children and women for over 10 years, from 2012 to 2021.
He pleaded guilty to 148 charges, which include 89 rapes, 42 kidnappings, six of compelling a child to witness a sexual act, four of forcing a minor, two of assault, and two of sexual assault.
According to Judge Lesego Makolomakwe, Phakathi admitted that he unlawfully committed these crimes without the consent of the victims during his previous appearance.
Phakathi was arrested in March last year after nine years of terrorising women and children in and around Ekurhuleni.
It is also reported that the accused lost the use of his leg while trying to evade arrest last year.
The Star