FOLLOW-UP: Forensic specialist and investigating officer take the stand in Phiri case
The case is set to continue with Phiri expected to take the stand later this week.
The trial of Sipho Lucas Phiri, known as the Daveyton/Thembisa serial rapist, continued on June 23 and June 24 during a Gauteng Division High Court sitting at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court.
An expert witness from the SAPS Forensics Sciences Laboratory in Pretoria (who requested anonymity) and Detective Sergeant Kaizer Mbele of the Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit testified over the two days.
The expert witness explained that his duties include analysing and interpreting DNA comparisons with reference samples.
“Regarding this case, samples were derived using SAPS rape kits collected from alleged victims and compared with two samples from a person of interest,” he told the court.
Samples from rape kits dated between 2018 and 2023 were analysed and compared to Phiri’s samples.
“Twenty-one of the samples showed the presence of donor DNA matching that of Phiri,” he said.
“The exhibits analysed matched the two reference samples of the accused according to departmental standards. However, some exhibits were inconclusive due to the absence of donor DNA. This could be for various reasons, including that the assailant did not ejaculate.”
Advocate Marianne Mampuru, Phiri’s defence attorney, did not object to the DNA report being admitted as evidence.
Detective Sergeant Mbele testified that he took over the investigation in December 2022 after noting similarities in the modus operandi in 16 cases reported in Thembisa and Norkem Park, and 21 cases in Daveyton and Putfontein. The links led to the merging of investigations. At the time, Mbele had 37 dockets.
“A thorough analysis was conducted on all dockets and an intelligence-driven investigation was launched,” he said.
“Using information from witnesses about the vehicle used by the suspect and a description created with an identikit, an operation was conducted in Mayfield on January 20, 2023.”
A person of interest driving a white Hyundai Sonata matching the suspect’s description was seen in the area. The vehicle was registered to an address in Thembisa.
“Just after 10:00 on January 22, 2023, the day of Phiri’s arrest, the FCS team spotted the vehicle again in Putfontein and tactically stopped it.”
A .38 special revolver and an official PRASA uniform were found in the car. Phiri was detained at Putfontein SAPS and later transferred to Benoni Police Station for an identity parade on January 24, 2023.
“At that time, two alleged victims took part in the parade,” said Mbele. “Further parades were held on February 6 and March 28, 2023.
The second parade involved about 15 alleged victims. The third parade, held at Modderbee Correctional Facility, was attended by complainants from Thembisa.”
Background and charges
Phiri, a former PRASA security guard, is alleged to have begun his attacks in Thembisa and Norkem Park in September 2018, continuing until August 2020. He is also accused of raping 21 women in Daveyton and Putfontein from May 2021.
He faces 44 counts of rape, 43 counts of kidnapping, 41 counts 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 Firearms Control Act.
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