The MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng, Faith Mazibuko, as well as women’s interests groups and some family members, have welcomed the life sentence imposed on 22-year-old serial rapist and convicted murderer, Sifiso Mkhwanazi.
The rape and murder trial involving Mkhwanazi finally came to an end after he was handed a life sentence on Wednesday for the murder and rape of six alleged sex workers.
Mkhwanazi is reported to have lured these women to his father’s workshop between April and and October 2022, where he raped and strangled them before dumping their bodies at various parts of the workshop.
Judge Cassim Moosa, who described Mkhwanazi as “arrogant”, handed him six life terms which are to run concurrently.
The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, sitting in Palm Ridge, said Mkhwanazi, who in March was found guilty on six counts of rape, murder and other charges, was likely to repeat his offences as he has never showed remorse for his actions.
“The accused acknowledged that he committed the crimes. However, despite this, he does not seem to have insight into his criminality or the impact the crimes had on the victims.
“The accused has proved that he has a very poor prognosis for rehabilitation and will most likely remain a threat to society as long as he is alive. Government has identified violence against women as a national scourge,” Judge Moosa said.
The court rejected Mkhwanazi’s last-ditch attempt to have his sentence reduced after he attempted to justify his actions, following a report from the psychiatrists at the Sterkfontein psychiatric hospital which last month found that there was a great risk that Mkhwanazi would commit similar offences if given a chance.
“The accused shall be brought before this court after 30 years for reconsideration of his sentence,” said Judge Moosa.
Although parole was not addressed on Wednesday, Judge Moosa assured the victims’ families that their voices would be heard if a parole process was initiated.
Mazibuko, in a statement, has since welcomed the life sentence handed down to Mkhwanazi, following almost two years after he was arrested in October 2021 after the gruesome discovery of six bodies of women at his father’s workshop in the Johannesburg CBD.
“This sentencing marks a significant victory in the fight against GBVF, demonstrating that justice can and will be served for crimes committed against women and vulnerable members of our communities.
“The department commends the work of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and all those involved in ensuring that Mkhwanazi is held accountable for his actions,” Mazibuko said.
In March, “The Star” reported that during the trial Mkhwanazi had pleaded not guilty to all the charges and tendered admissions in terms of section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).
He, however, 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 his father’s panel-beating business.
Some members of the families of the victims and women’s groups screamed and sobbed as the sentencing was delivered.
One of the victim’s daughters said she found it hard to forgive Mkhwanazi for taking the life of her mother.
“I am what I am because of my mother. I find it hard to forgive him for that,” she said.
A member of the Sisonke women’s group said: “We are happy that he received a life in prison. He will not be out on the street in five years and we hear that he has done the same to someone else.”
The Star