By Everson Luhanga
The Johannesburg sex workers’ killer has admitted to murdering the six women by using an arm choke.
This was revealed on Friday in the Palmridge high court, where the case has moved to resume the serial killer’s trial.
The case against Sifiso Mkhwanazi, a 22-year-old man accused of killing sex workers in the Johannesburg CBD, has been postponed to Monday 5 February.
Mkhwanazi is facing 22 counts of charges including murder, rape and defeating the ends of justice among others.
The case was set down for the State and the accused to enter into Plea and Sentence Agreement negotiations. Senior state advocate Leswikane Mashabela informed the court that the negotiations were unsuccessful and that the State was ready to proceed with trial.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said Mkhwanazi is facing six counts of murder, seven of rape, six of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice, robbery with aggravating circumstances, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The charges emanate from the discovery of six female bodies at the premises of a panel beating business in Johannesburg inner city, in October 2022.
“One of the caretakers had discovered a female’s deceased body at one of the unused offices at the premises and alerted the owner of the premises. The business owner, who is the father of the accused, summoned the South African Police Service (SAPS),” she said.
Upon investigation by SAPS members, five more bodies were discovered at various locations within the premises. Further investigations led to the arrest of Mkhwanazi. The State alleges that Mkhwanazi raped and killed six sex workers that he collected from the Johannesburg CBD, between April and October 2022.
Scrolla.Africa broke the story in October 2021.
Mjonondwane said Mkhwanazi admitted to killing the women, using an arm choke, and to defeating or obstructing the administration of justice by concealing their bodies at different locations at the premises of the panel beating business.
“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 committed because the women reneged on their agreement on the payment for sex and demanded more money,” she said.
Mjonondwane said Mkhwanazi cited that their actions triggered emotions of anger as he had previously spent 10 months in prison after a sex worker accused him of rape, but later withdrew the false allegations.
The State will call its first witness when the trial resumes.
Pictured above: Murder accused Sifiso Mkhwanazi.
Source: Everson Luhanga
