Mental observation for Ekurhuleni serial rapist
Phakathi would rob and rape his victims while threatening to kill them if they reported the matter to the police.
Nkosinathi Phakathi, dubbed the Ekurhuleni Serial Rapist, will be sent for mental observation at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital or Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital, depending on the availability of beds at these two facilities.
This was after Phakathi’s lawyer, Advocate Letau Kgokane, brought forward an application to have his client examined mentally to support the evidence presented by the defence’s clinical psychologist, Dr Lynette Roux. She suggested Phakathi showed signs of emotional depression, hallucination and schizophrenia.
Kgokane told the court during the continuation of sentencing proceedings this aspect needed to be cleared up by a psychiatrist who would examine Phakathi.
“I understand the urgency in the speedy finalisation and am fully considering the interest of the public in this matter. This is one case that we cannot afford to cut corners at the expense of justice.
“If justice dictates that the accused be incarcerated for a lengthy period or if justice dictates that the accused be detained in a psychiatric institution, that would be justice,” said Kgokane.
Roux’s psychosocial report, compiled for the defence, stated Phakathi heard a voice in his head that told him who to rape when he committed his crimes.
Also Read: Ekurhuleni serial rapist claims evil spirits made him do it
Roux said the results of tests she administered, comprising over 400 questions, indicated Phakathi needed psychological and spiritual interventions.
“He seems to be mentally disturbed, delusional and has major depression. He has episodes and loses touch with reality, so he cannot remember many of those rape incidences,” said Roux.
However, the SAPS psychological expert, Colonel Kirsten Clark, disregarded Roux’s view when she took the stand in the Pretoria High Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on September 27.
The matter will return to court on November 27 at the Benoni Regional Court.
Phakathi was convicted last November of 148 charges relating to rape, kidnapping, theft and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was found guilty of 90 charges of rape, compelled rape (four), causing a child to witness a sexual act (three), kidnapping (43), theft (four), sexual assault (two) and assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm (two).
Phakathi was initially charged with 203 charges. However, according to NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the State withdrew 55 of the 203 charges.
Phakathi’s victims were between 10 and 44 years old. He pretended to install meter boxes or geysers or said he was a house inspector or a food distributor or someone looking for directions when approaching his victims.
He would rob and rape his victims while threatening to kill them if they reported the matter to the police.
He was arrested in March last year in Barcelona, Etwatwa, after police searched for him for years following a series of rape cases reported in various areas between 2012 and March 2021.
Also Read: Defence says rapist is mentally ill
