The trial of the alleged “Daveyton/Thembisa serial rapist”, Sipho Lucas Phiri, has been postponed until November 24.

The latest development is due to the accused’s defence Advocate Marianne Mampuru taking ill.

Addressing the Gauteng High Court sitting at the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on November 13, State prosecutor Esther Kabini stated that Mampuru submitted a medical certificate indicating that she had been placed on sick leave until November 19.

“Due to this, we request that the trial is postponed until the start of the new week,” said Kabini

Acting Judge Rasigamani Bhika granted the request but expressed concern over Mampuru’s ongoing health issues and how the postponement would affect the time frame set aside for the accused’s testimony.

Taking the stand on November 10, the Chief Albert Luthuli resident confirmed that he had worked as a uniformed security supervisor at two private security companies before joining the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) in March 2021.

He further stated that his firearm license application, in line with the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000, was granted in August 2019, saying that he had made the application for self-defence.

He confirmed that on the day of his arrest, January 22, 2023, in Mayfield, Daveyton, a Taurus .38 special revolver with five live rounds was found on him and booked in as evidence.

Phiri is accused of 44 counts of rape, allegedly committed between 2018 and 2023, in Thembisa, Norkem Park, Daveyton and Putfontein.

Additional charges include 43 counts of kidnapping, 41 of pointing a firearm, and 17 more that include fraud, the obstruction of justice, compelling someone to witness a sexual act, and contravening the Police and Firearms Control Acts.

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