The East London High Court has handed down a landmark sentence to 34-year-old Lwando Phike of Auckland Location, Dutywa, bringing closure to a series of brutal attacks that terrorized communities for several years. Phike was convicted on multiple counts of rape, robbery, and related charges, resulting in a cumulative sentence of five life terms plus 95 years’ imprisonment.
The successful conviction and sentencing followed years of meticulous investigative work led by Warrant Officer Lulama Luhadi of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit at the SAPS Provincial Office. Phike was linked to at least eight cases of rape and robbery committed between 2017 and 2022 in the areas of Kidd’s Beach, Duncan Village, and Cambridge.
His victims, primarily young women aged between 14 and 24, were threatened with a knife, robbed of their personal belongings, and then raped in secluded areas.
The investigation faced significant hurdles. An initial case against Phike in 2017 was withdrawn due to witness challenges. However, DNA evidence preserved from that investigation later became crucial. Buccal samples taken during his initial arrest were stored in the forensic database and ultimately provided a positive match, linking him to seven additional violent crimes.
Tracking down the perpetrator proved difficult, as his whereabouts were unknown for an extended period. Through persistent tracing and the circulation of his details, he was eventually located while already in custody at the East London Police Station on unrelated charges in May 2023. Warrant Officer Luhadi immediately rearrested him for the series of rape cases. Phike has remained behind bars since that time, later abandoning his bail application.
On 25 September 2025, the East London High Court found him guilty and sentenced him to five life terms for the rapes, plus an additional 95 years’ imprisonment for the charges of attempted rape and robbery.
