The Johannesburg High Court has sentenced Sifiso Mkhwanazi to six life terms plus 170 years in prison for the murder and rape of six sex workers in Johannesburg.
The 21-year-old Mkhwanazi was convicted of six counts of murder, six counts of rape, six of murder, six of defeating the ends of justice, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition as well as theft.
Judge Cassim Moosa further declared him to be a dangerous criminal citing that the community should be protected from him.
In addition, Mkhwanazi was ordered to undergo imprisonment for an indefinite period, to return to court after serving 30 years of the imposed sentence for the court to hold an inquiry to determine whether he is still a danger to society or not.
Mkhwanazi was arrested after the bodies of six sex workers were discovered at his father’s panel beating business in Rosettenville.
The women were believed to have been killed between April to October 2022 and their bodies concealed in different locations within the yard of the workshop.
In his defence, Mkhwanazi told the court that the offences were committed in revenge of a false rape accusation which resulted in his incarceration for a period of 10 months.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and tendered admissions in terms of section 220 of the Criminal Procedures Act.
He admitted to killing the females using an arm choke and, to defeating or obstructing the administration of justice by concealing their bodies at different locations at the workshop premises.
It emerged in court that Mkhwanazi confessed to his father that he had indeed killed the six women, but however denied the murders were planned or premeditated.
“He further admitted to the charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances in that he robbed one of the deceased of her cell phone and that he unlawfully took his father’s firearm and ammunition.
Mkhwanazi however, denied raping the females and alleged that it was consensual sex with the agreement of money for sex.
He denied planning the murders of these women and said the crimes were impulsively committed as the women reneged on their agreement on the payment for sex and demanded more money,” said Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane.
