Tensions rising between State, defence in case against alleged serial rapist Sipho Lucas Phiri

JOHANNESBURG - With the trial of alleged serial rapist Sipho Lucas Phiri currently underway, tensions between the defence and State have taken centre stage.

Phiri is appearing in the Pretoria High Court sitting in Benoni on 114 charges. He is accused of raping and kidnapping of 37 women between 2018 and 2023.

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The accused made his first appearance at the end January last year in the Benoni Magistrates Court before it was transferred to the High Court.

Outlining her methods of evidence presentation to the court, State Advocate Ester Kabini indicated that forensic tests and DNA would serve as part of her case.

This prompted Phiri’s defence attorney Marianne Mampuru to object, despite being aware of the State's intentions to present forensic evidence.

A visibly frustrated Judge Rasigamani Bhika instructed the two to put their differences aside.

"This is going to be a long, difficult trial. I do not need time added on by this going on, both of you spoke. There's something going on about this further forensic evidence; I want you both to sit together and work together. "