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 sex workers in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mkhwanazi received the sentence on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, after being convicted on multiple charges, including six counts of murder, six counts of rape, six counts of obstructing justice, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Judge Cassim Moosa described Mkhwanazi as a dangerous criminal, labeling him arrogant and a threat to public safety. The charges arose from the discovery of six female bodies at his father’s panel beating business in Rosettenville, Joburg, in October 2022.
During the trial, Mkhwanazi confessed to his father, Mark Khumalo, that he had killed the six women, although he claimed the murders were not premeditated. However, leading investigator Bongani Mbonambi testified that all victims had been bound, gagged, and strangled, indicating a calculated plan behind the murders.
Mbonambi suggested that Mkhwanazi sought revenge against the women due to a prior rape allegation against him. In contrast, Mkhwanazi’s defense attorney, Vuyo Maqetuka, argued that the defendant acted out of fear after the women raised their prices, believing he might be arrested.
Judge Moosa rejected this defense, questioning, “Why didn’t he stay away from the sex workers?” He noted that Mkhwanazi’s anger arose only when the women demanded more money, implying a level of premeditation.
In his ruling, Judge Moosa acknowledged Mkhwanazi’s age at the time of the crimes but emphasized that his youth did not mitigate the severity of his actions. “The horrendous nature of his actions overshadows any claims of youthful indiscretion,” he stated.
The judge highlighted the extreme violence and premeditation involved in the crimes, noting that Mkhwanazi displayed no remorse. “He acknowledges his crimes but lacks insight into their impact on the victims,” Moosa remarked, indicating a poor prognosis for rehabilitation.
Mkhwanazi was sentenced to life in prison, plus an additional 10 years for obstructing justice and 15 years for rape. The judge ordered that Mkhwanazi be brought back to court after 30 years for a potential sentence reconsideration.
