Joburg serial killer Sifiso Mkhwanazi handed life sentence

Mkhwanazi admitted to soliciting the services of the women and later killing them.

He claimed he was driven by rage when the women reneged on their fee agreement, adding that their alleged actions triggered his anger over a false rape claim by another sex worker that landed him in prison in 2021.

However, the court dismissed his version and instead found him guilty on more than 20 counts, including six counts of murder, six counts rape and six more for defeating the administration of justice.

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The 21-year-old was ordered to undergo a mental evaluation at the Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital to determine if he was a dangerous criminal.

The reports submitted to the courts by a team of psychiatrists, forensic psychologists and social workers found that there was a high risk Mkhwanazi would re-offend and that he, indeed, was a dangerous criminal.

Judge Cassim Moosa found there was little reason to deviate from the minimum sentence.

“I’ve carefully looked at the aggravating as opposed to the mitigating factors and have taken all other circumstances and factors relevant to sentencing and measured it against the composite yardstick, substantial and compelling, in order to determine whether the aforementioned cumulatively justifies a departure from the standardised response that the legislature has ordained.

“After careful consideration of all the evidence before me, and taking into account all the aggravating, and mitigating, and other factors that I am required to take into account, I am of the view that as far as the accused is concerned, no substantially compelling circumstances exist to deviate from the imposition of the prescribed minimum sentence where appropriate.”

The court also declared Mkhwanazi a danger to society.

“The accused is sentenced to undergo imprisonment for an indefinite period, and it is directed that the accused shall be brought before this court upon expiration of the period of 30 years to enable this court to reconsider sentence,” Moosa ordered. 

Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence.

“We are encouraged by the sentence that was imposed by the court, especially the fact that the accused has been declared a dangerous criminal,” said spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

“We were pushing for that as the NPA so that perpetrators of gender-based violence don’t easily get out of prison, like in this instance where the accused is ordered to return to court after serving 30 years so the court can hold another inquiry to determine whether or not he’s still a danger to society.”

Mkhwanazi’s six life imprisonment terms for murder are coupled with 170 years for rape, defeating the administration of justice, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and theft.

The sentences will run concurrently.