From raping schoolgirls-women to forcing children to watch him rape: South African man gets 42 life sentences

A South African man, who was convicted of 90 counts of rape, was sentenced to 42 life sentences.

His victims include girls as young as nine. His oldest victim was aged 44.

40-year-old Nkosinathi Phakathi targeted schoolgirls. He forced children to watch him carry out rapes and also forced young boys to rape their female friends in or around Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, between 2012 and 2021.

On Friday, the Johannesburg High Court heard that Phakathi was receiving 42 life sentences for charges including rape, kidnapping, theft and assault.

Phakathi targeted many victims when they were travelling to or from work or school.

Phakathi also assaulted some of his victims in their own homes, pretending to be an electrician coming to fix a household appliance in order to gain entry.

“Our courts have an obligation in imposing sentences for such a crime, particularly when it involves young, innocent, defenceless and vulnerable girls,” the judge said.

He was shot by police in the leg when he tried to flee following his arrest.