| 2024/10/04 |
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Media Statement
GAUTENG – Today, Friday 04 October 2024, the North Gauteng High Court sitting in Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court sentenced 40-year-old Nkosinathi Emmanuel Phakathi known as the “Benoni Serial Rapist” for 148 counts. Phakathi was found guilty in November 2022 for 90 counts of rape, five counts of attempted rape, eight counts of compelled rape where he forced children to commit sexual acts and watch him rape, 43 counts of kidnapping and several counts of theft, pointing of firearm and assault. He was sentenced to 42 life terms and an additional 791 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. Nkosinathi Phakathi’s reign of terror started in 2012 and lasted close to a decade in the Ekurhuleni areas namely; Benoni, Daveyton, Putfontein, Crystal Park and Etwatwa. It came to an abrupt end on 17 March 2021. The Task Team comprising of the Investigating Officer, Warrant Officer Tlala John Mokoena, Investigative Psychology Section (Investigative Support), Clinical Psychologist and Criminologist was assisted intermittently by members from the Gauteng Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) unit, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Gauteng Provincial Crime Scene Processing Team, Hawks member, Private Security companies, Springs Crime Intelligence Gathering (CIG), Tshwane SAPS K9, members from Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) and the SANDF which provided Geographical mapping of the accused’s area of operation. The Task Team did not have his picture or face, ID and names, he left no biological forensic evidence (e.g. blood, body fluids except those collected from victims, no hair and other tissues), no latent print evidence (e.g. fingerprints, palm prints, foot prints), no trace evidence (e.g. fibers, soil) he was very meticulous. Seeing from his Modus Operandi he operated between 5am and 9am in four different Policing precincts, the Task Team’s day had to start mostly at 03:30 because members were coming from as far as Moloto, Mabopane and the Vaal so that they would be in his area operation by 5am until very late in the evening. Phakathi was ultimately brought to his knees on 17 March 2021 by Warrant Officer Mokoena who shot him on his leg as he was evading arrest in Barcelona, Etwatwa. His leg has since been amputated. His youngest victim is nine years old. Warrant Officer Mokoena is a seasoned detective with 18 years’ service and is from the Gauteng Provincial Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) unit. SECI is a specialised unit within the provincial FCS that investigates serial rapists and offenders involved in Child Pornography. Phakathi’s cases were sent to SECI as they had no leads and have gone cold, his ID Kit was recirculated all over media in September 2020 and it took seven months before his ultimate arrest. Warrant Officer Mokoena has a knack for challenging cases as this is not his first. He has dealt with almost 30 serial rapists as well as a serial killer. The Soweto taxi rapist Gift Lebogang Mokoena who was sentenced to 13 life terms and 340 additional years is among Warrant Officer Mokoena’s many successes. When asked why he specialises in serial rape cases, this is what Warrant Officer Mokoena had to say “What I like about these type of cases is being the voice for the voiceless, becoming a big brother in a playground where the vulnerable of our society especially the survivors of GBV never had. Above all else, I guess the greatest feeling about it all is the inner peace I take away after restoring the survivor’s hope to face life again. Healing those emotional and psychological gaping wounds that nobody else sees, providing the victims with justice and finally seeing smiles on their faces after having reinforced the authority of the State upon the lawless and showing unwavering commitment to the mandate of SAPS and FCS. Ensuring the community’s faith in the police is restored that is how I measure the success of each case especially this one of the worst serial rapist.” “I am excited beyond measure; my joy is overflowing to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” said Warrant Officer Mokoena about the conviction. The Acting Gauteng Provincial Commissioner Major General Fred Kekana welcomed the sentencing. “The dedication, thoroughness and perseverance displayed by Warrant Officer Mokoena will restore our communities’ faith in the South African Police Service. Community members, especially child victims should rest assured that our members will continue to stamp the authority of the State in bringing perpetrators to justice,” said Maj Gen Kekana. Ends
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