A South African man, Sifiso Mkhwanazi, convicted for the brutal murders of six Zimbabwean thigh vendors in Johannesburg, has been sentenced to six life terms in prison.
The Johannesburg High Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, handed down the sentence on Wednesday after the conclusion of pre-sentencing procedures.
Mkhwanazi faced several charges, including murder, r_ape, defeating the ends of justice, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He was found guilty of committing these horrific crimes in March 2024.
During the court proceedings, a psychiatric report revealed that Mkhwanazi showed no signs of mental illness. Furthermore, he exhibited no remorse for his actions during the evaluation. The court also noted that Mkhwanazi, despite his young age, remains a dangerous individual.
Judge Cassim Moosa, who presided over the case, highlighted that Mkhwanazi was only 19 years old when the crimes were committed, but this did not mitigate the severity of his actions.
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Judge’s Statement on Mkhwanazi’s Crimes
Judge Moosa underscored the deliberate nature of the murders, emphasizing the calculated violence Mkhwanazi inflicted on his victims. The conditions in which the victims’ bodies were found illustrated the brutality of the crimes, leaving no doubt about the severity of his offences.
“Despite the accused’s relative youth, the vicious nature of the crimes far outweighs any argument for leniency. These were deliberate, violent acts, planned and executed with cold precision,” Judge Moosa remarked.
The judge added that Mkhwanazi showed no fundamental understanding of the gravity of his actions and had a very poor likelihood of rehabilitation. He stressed that the country’s fight against gender-based violence remains critical, and such criminals pose an ongoing threat to society.
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In addition to life imprisonment, Mkhwanazi received further sentences for his other crimes. He was handed a 10-year sentence for obstructing justice and an additional 15 years for rape. Judge Moosa also stipulated that after serving 30 years, Mkhwanazi’s case may be revisited for potential sentence reconsideration.
“The accused will serve an indeterminate life sentence, and his case will be reviewed after 30 years,” the judge ruled. This leaves the possibility that Mkhwanazi’s case may be re-evaluated, but only after an extended period of imprisonment.
