SFISO MKWANAZI FOUND GUILTY OF KILLING SIX SEX WORKERS.

JOHANNESBURG - Mkhwanazi faced a total of 22 charges, encompassing six counts of rape, six counts of murder, six counts of obstructing justice, and one count each of firearm and ammunition possession.

The 21-year-old was apprehended in October 2022 following the discovery of the bodies of six Zimbabwean sex workers at a panel beating workshop in Johannesburg.

According to News24, the judge who pronounced Sifiso Mkhwanazi guilty of murdering the Johannesburg sex workers provided a scathing critique of the defendant's actions.

Judge Cassim Moosa, delivering the verdict in front of a full courtroom, which included the families of the victims at the Gauteng High Court in Palm Ridge, stated, "I dismissed the accused's account as entirely false and determined that he had premeditated and planned his actions, intending to kill the victims."

Throughout the judgment, Mkhwanazi remained impassive, keeping his gaze lowered.

The judge concluded, "After reviewing all the evidence, I found that Mkhwanazi engaged in sexual activity with all the deceased without their consent. Furthermore, he deliberately concealed their bodies, obstructing the course of justice."

Mkhwanazi claimed he murdered his victims because they demanded additional payment after intercourse.

Moosa dismissed Mkhwanazi's account, stating, "After careful consideration, I find the defendant's version to be demonstrably false beyond reasonable doubt. I accept the testimony of the prosecution witnesses and conclude that the state has sufficiently proven the accused's guilt."

Moosa emphasized that Mkhwanazi had failed to demonstrate his innocence. "His account is unequivocally false," Moosa stated.

Prosecutor Leswikane Mashabela indicated the state's intention to subject Mkhwanazi to a risk assessment at Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital due to the brutality of the crimes and the specific targeting of victims, asserting, "He poses a significant danger, not only because of the murders but also due to his deliberate selection of victims. He poses a threat to sex workers and the community at large."

Defense advocate Vuyo Matequka did not oppose the referral of his client for psychiatric evaluation.

Moosa ordered Mkhwanazi to undergo mental assessment before sentencing, noting that it could impact the severity of the punishment but would not affect the conviction itself. "The purpose of the evaluation is to ensure an appropriate sentencing decision," the judge clarified.