FOLLOW-UP: Witnesses to take the stand against alleged serial rapist
Three of the alleged rape victims were 15 at the time of the incident.
In front of a full public gallery, the alleged Daveyton/Thembisa serial rapist, Sipho Lucas Phiri, pleaded not guilty to all charges against him in a Gauteng Division High Court sitting at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on September 6.
Acting on behalf of the State, advocate Esther Kabini started reading the indictment into the record at noon.
Appeal against the media
The day’s proceedings started with Judge Rasigamani Bhika delivering her judgement against an appeal brought by defence advocate Marianne Mampuru.
On August 27, Bhika granted an order in favour of the Benoni City Times and eNCA to televise, record and take photos of the accused and parts of proceedings.
“The application for leave to appeal is dismissed. I am not convinced that I erred in any way in granting the media order and find there are no reasonable prospects that another court would reach a different conclusion,” said Bhika
Charges
Kabini completed reading the charges brought against Phiri at 14:00.
The former Prasa security guard faces, among others, 44 counts of rape, 43 of kidnapping, 41 of pointing a firearm, and 17 additional charges, including fraud, obstruction of justice, forcing someone to witness a sexual act, and contraventions of the Police Act and the Firearms Control Act.
If found guilty, the State will further call for the maximum sentence, life in prison, as nine complainants claim they were raped more than once, while three victims were under the age of 16 at the time.
The 39-year-old was allegedly active in Thembisa, Ivory Park and Norkem Park from September 2018 to August 2020, with 16 cases brought against him in these areas.
From May 2021 to last January, he allegedly committed 23 rapes in Putfontein and Daveyton.
Community outrage
Katleho Mosesi of Daveyton said, shaking his head in dismay, that he is sad that so many women had fallen victim to the indignity of rape, allegedly at the hands of one man.
Mosesi was part of the community members who had protested outside the court building since September 3.
“I am but one of a handful of men who have come here to show our unwavering support for the victims in this matter,” he said.
“The time of turning a blind eye against the relentless attack against women is over. We, as men, should be taking a stance against those who feel they have the power to rape and intimidate.
“Disciplined and self-respecting men, it is time to rise.”
Speaking of the challenges of growing up in Daveyton, Mosesi said it is no secret that growing up without a positive male role model could contribute to young men developing skewed impressions about manhood and sexual relationships.
“Young men seek validation and are often disillusioned by lyrics dripping with lust and disrespect for our female counterparts,” he said.
“Now more than ever, we need musicians, sports stars and celebrities to give heed to the influence they hold over young people and to use their platforms to genuinely change the narrative.”
The trial formally began on September 9, with the State calling its first witness.
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