Nkosinathi Phakathi, dubbed the Benoni Serial Rapist, was sentenced to 42 life sentences, 791 years, and six months in prison.
He pleaded guilty to 148 charges, which included 90 counts of rape.
Research indicates that men rape to gain power; it makes them feel important.
There are different reasons why a person would need this power – being rejected multiple times, childhood traumas, alcohol and substance abuse, to name a few.
Rape is also easier in South Africa. As a result of the victim-blaming still attached to this crime, many women refuse to report rape, and perpetrators get away with it.
Phakathi raped for nearly a decade before being apprehended.
Almost all his victims were children, some as young as nine. He targeted them on their way to or returning from school or work.
It’s been suggested that a rapist will first start with a smaller offence. They might touch someone inappropriately (at a younger age) to test if they will get away with it, and if they do, chances are, they might turn into a rapist.
This case is important as it sets precedence in South Africa, where violence against women and children is a daily occurrence.
I watched the video of the sentencing. Phakathi kept his head down the entire time.
One might wonder if he is ashamed of what he has done, but I tend to think it’s in anger that he was caught.
The damage that this man has caused is irreversible, but some of his victims remain positive.
In a video, a courageous victim states that she is thankful that justice has finally prevailed and that she will be able to heal.
Not much is known about Phakathi other than the crimes he committed.
He was born in Daveyton, a township in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng.
No information is available about his upbringing or his life before he started this behaviour in 2012.
Was there a childhood trauma that we might never know about? Was he addicted to substances? Or did he hate women?
We can only hope that his lengthy time in prison will deter others from doing the same.
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