The South Gauteng High Court in Palm Ridge has sentenced 21-year-old Sifiso Mkhwanazi to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of six Zimbabwean s*x workers in Johannesburg.
On September 18, 2024, Mkhwanazi was found guilty of six counts of murder, six counts of r*pe, six counts of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Judge Cassim Moosa described Mkhwanazi as a dangerous individual whose actions posed a significant threat to society. The charges stemmed from the discovery of six female bodies at Mkhwanazi’s father’s panel beating business in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, in October 2022.
During the trial, Mkhwanazi admitted to his father, Mark Khumalo, that he had killed the women but claimed the murders were neither planned nor premeditated. However, lead investigator Bongani Mbonambi testified that the victims had been bound, gagged, and strangled, suggesting a premeditated scheme. Mbonambi also indicated that the murders might have been retaliatory, linked to an earlier r*pe accusation against Mkhwanazi.
Defense attorney Vuyo Maqetuka argued that Mkhwanazi killed the s*x workers after they demanded higher payment and out of fear of arrest. Judge Moosa, however, rejected this argument, questioning why Mkhwanazi did not avoid the s*x workers if he was so concerned about being arrested.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Moosa acknowledged Mkhwanazi’s age at the time of the crimes but emphasized the severity and premeditation of his actions. He criticized Mkhwanazi for showing no remorse and stated that the defendant demonstrated a poor prognosis for rehabilitation.
Mkhwanazi received a life sentence, plus an additional 10 years for obstructing justice and 15 years for r*pe. The judge also ordered that Mkhwanazi be reviewed after 30 years to reconsider his sentence.
