The trial against Sifiso Mkhwanazi has culminated in a guilty verdict on multiple counts of rape and murder.
Sifiso Mkhwanazi found guilty: Here’s what we know
The Gauteng High Court, convening in Palm Ridge, on Wednesday, rendered a guilty verdict against the 22-year-old serial killer for the heinous acts committed against six Johannesburg sex workers.
Judge Cassim Moosa delivered the verdict, finding Mkhwanazi guilty on six counts each of murder, rape, and defeating the ends of justice, in addition to illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
However, Mkhwanazi was acquitted of a charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances, facing a conviction on an alternative charge of theft of a cellphone taken from one of the victims.
This ruling follows Mkhwanazi’s confession last month to the murders, a revelation that shocked many due to his young age of 22.
His arrest in October 2022 unearthed a horrific scene at a Johannesburg panelbeating workshop owned by his father, where the decomposed bodies of the women were discovered.
The discovery led to an extensive investigation, ultimately bringing Mkhwanazi to face justice for his crimes.
Here’s how many years he’ll likely be imprisoned for
While the court has not yet announced the sentence at the time of reporting, based on South African law and the gravity of the crimes, Sifiso Mkhwanazi could face multiple life sentences.
In South Africa, a life sentence for murder can mean the perpetrator spends the rest of their life in prison, with a minimum term of 25 years before eligibility for parole for each count of murder.
Given the six counts of murder, along with the additional charges including rape and illegal possession of a firearm, Mkhwanazi is looking at a significant portion of his life, if not all, behind bars.
The final sentencing will take into consideration the number of counts, the nature of the crimes, and the impact on the victims and their families, potentially leading to consecutive life sentences for the murders along with additional time for the other convictions.