Mother of Nkosinathi Phakathi's youngest victims says the child continues to battle trauma

JOHANNESBURG - The mother of one of serial rapist Nkosinathi Phakathi’s youngest victims says her child continues to struggle with the trauma of the assault.

On Thursday, the convict was sentenced to 42 life terms, along with an additional 791 years and six months of direct imprisonment for the rape of over 94 women between 2012 and 2021.

Phakathi terrorised communities in Ekurhuleni for nearly a decade, targeting women including children as young as nine years old.

“We're also grateful, especially to the police from all over the country,” said the mother of one of Phakathi’s youngest victims.

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Although she is grappling with harrowing memories of the event, the mother who remains unnamed to protect her child said healing is taking place albeit slowly.

Welcoming the hefty sentence, she added that she will attend Phakathi’s possible parole hearing later on - in an attempt to ensure that he does not gain freedom.

Phakathi began serving his sentence on Friday.