Court dismisses alleged serial rapist's leave to appeal over right to broadcast trial

JOHANNESBURG - The Pretoria High Court has dismissed an application by alleged serial rapist Sipho Lucas Phiri for leave to appeal an order granting the media broadcast rights of his trial. 

Phiri was arrested in connection with the rape of 37 women between 2018 and 2023 and faces 114 charges including kidnapping and pointing a firearm.  

The accused launched an initial application to bar the media from broadcasting court proceedings earlier this week. 

READ: Alleged serial rapist Phiri loses bid to prevent his trial being broadcast

But the court found no reason to grant the application. On Thursday, he launched a bid to appeal the courts decision. 

Acting Judge Rasigamani Bhika, however, dismissed the application.

"The Applicant's name, his picture, and the nature of charges he is facing have been in the public domain. Well, before I made the order, and there have been no repercussions. The due process of court exists to safeguard accused's right to a fair trial. The public's opinion as to applicant's guilt will be of no consequence to the trial court," said Bhika.