Alleged Ekurhuleni serial rapist claims his life is in danger

JOHANNESBURG - The Pretoria High Court has heard there were several calls for the alleged Ekurhuleni serial rapist to be moved to a single cell for safety reasons.

Sipho Lucas Phiri is currently testifying at the Benoni Magistrates Court.

He stated that after his arrest in 2023, while he was detained at the Modderbee Correctional Facility, there were threats made against his life.

READ: Trial against alleged Ekurhuleni serial rapist continues with testimony in court

Phiri is on trial for more than 100 counts, including rape, kidnapping, pointing of a firearm, fraud, obstruction of justice, and forcing someone to witness a sexual act.

Phiri complained to the court that his face was published in the media from the time of his arrest, which he felt encouraged the public to "prosecute" him.

He claims that in 2023, one of the 37 victims who opened a case against him posted a picture of himwith a concerning caption.

"This person had written that at Modderbee they should try to hide me away and put me away in a single cell because my life is in danger at Modderbee prison."

Phiri testified that the victim who made the post had allegedly added that her boyfriend was also imprisoned at Modderbee and would "go after him".

He added that following this, the head of security at the prison also advised him to move to a single cell, but he refused. Phiri maintains that he is innocent of the crimes he is being accused of.

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