By Doreen Mokgolo
A mental health report says confessed rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi can serve a lengthy prison sentence.
On Wednesday, the Gauteng High Court sitting at Palm Ridge received the report from Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital. It shows Phakathi has an adjustment disorder but is fit for prison.
Medical reports about Phakathi’s amputated leg were also submitted. He lost his right leg after being shot while trying to escape arrest in March 2021.
Phakathi, 40, pleaded guilty to 148 charges, including 93 counts of rape. He raped 24 minors and nine adults. His first victim was only 12 years old.
His crimes targeted victims aged nine to 44 in Etwatwa from 2012 to 2021.
The case was postponed to Thursday for further defence consultations.
“He was a loving father and protected his family while leading a life of crime. He also lived in isolation from his family and kept to his room,” said a probation social worker.
“He also wished for a death penalty and intended to commit suicide by the end of the year.”
Phakathi said he pleaded guilty to spare his victims further trauma.
Pictured above: Nkosinathi Phakathi.
Source: Doreen Mokgolo
