Power Cut Postpones Trial Of ‘Serial Rapist’

Speaking to counsel for the state and defence and members of the media in her chambers, after a few hours of waiting with the hope that the power would be restored, judge Anneke van Wyk said the trial cannot proceed on Tuesday due to a blackout which also affected the Benoni magistrate’s court. The trial courtroom was in darkness.

Van Wyk postponed the matter to May 31.

Phakathi, 32, is facing 203 charges — including rape, sexual assault, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Prosecutor Salome Scheepers said Phakathi is linked to at least 93 rape cases.

On Monday Phakathi appeared in the Benoni magistrate’s court for the start of his trial and the matter was postponed to Tuesday after Phakathi’s lawyer Adv Letau Kgobane asked for sufficient time to consult with his client on the case.

Phakathi of Daveyton, East Rand, has been in a prison hospital since his arrest in March last year. He was also shot in the leg as he allegedly fled from the police officers who had come to arrest him. The leg has since been amputated.

Phakathi allegedly terrorised women within the Ekurhuleni metro for nine years. He was arrested at Barcelona section in Etwatwa.

His alleged rape spree dates back to 2012, with victims aged between 12 and 20 years and their locations being the areas east of Benoni, including Daveyton, Putfontein and Crystal Park.

Phakathi has been kept at a prison hospital at Modderbee Correctional Services, which is opposite his Daveyton hometown across the N4 highway.

The Pretoria high court trial sitting in Benoni, is expected to run until June 17. Up to 300 witnesses are expected to testify.