The trial of Sifiso Mkhwanazi, a 21-year-old man accused of murdering six sex workers, commenced in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Mkhwanazi was apprehended by authorities in 2022 after the discovery of six women’s bodies at his father’s panel-beating factory in Selby, Johannesburg.
Facing charges including six counts of murder, seven of rape, and additional offenses allegedly committed between April and October 2022, Mkhwanazi appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 5, 2024.
The State presented its first witness, Michael Damien, the caretaker of the building where the bodies were found. Damien testified to conducting routine inspections of the building, during one of which he detected a foul odor emanating from an office.
Upon investigation, he found a lifeless body inside, prompting him to alert the accused’s father and the head of security. When confronted, Mkhwanazi attempted to flee but was apprehended by Damien and others.
The trial was adjourned to Monday for further proceedings, including plea and sentence agreement negotiations between the State and the accused. However, these negotiations proved unsuccessful, prompting the State to proceed with the trial. It was revealed that Mkhwanazi admitted to killing the victims using an arm choke and concealing their bodies on the premises. He also confessed to robbery charges but denied allegations of rape, claiming consensual encounters motivated by disputes over payment.
Mkhwanazi attributed his actions to anger stemming from a previous false accusation of rape by a sex worker, for which he spent 10 months in prison before the allegations were withdrawn. The trial continues as Mkhwanazi faces multiple serious charges, maintaining his plea of not guilty despite admitting to certain aspects of the crimes.
The matter continues today.
