Thigh vendors in Johannesburg are breathing a sigh of relief after 20-year-old convicted murderer Sifiso Mkhwanazi was sentenced to six life terms in prison.
The Night Slayer
Mkhwanazi was found guilty of murdering six thigh vendors at his father’s panel-beating workshop between April and October 2022, where he strangled his victims and concealed their bodies on the premises.
Mkhwanazi, who was also convicted of six counts of rape, six of defeating the ends of justice, theft, and possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, was declared a dangerous criminal by the court. He will serve six life sentences plus 170 years and will only be eligible for an appeal after 30 years.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane told DRUM:
“The court further declared him to be a dangerous criminal, citing that the community should be protected from him.”
Mkhwanazi admitted to killing the women but denied raping them, claiming the sex was consensual, and disputes over payment triggered the murders.
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Thigh Vendors Celebrate as Sifiso Mkhwanazi Is Sentenced to Life in Prison
Thigh Vendors Celebrate as Sifiso Mkhwanazi Is Sentenced to Life in Prison For Killing Zimbabwean Women [Image: OJ Koloti Gallo Images]
Thigh vendors and their supporters, including the organisation Sisonke, have been following the case closely for two years, with many expressing relief at the sentence.
Zukiswa, a spokesperson for Sisonke, said the journey had been long and emotionally taxing.
“We told ourselves as an organisation that we would follow the case until the end. The sentence handed down brought us great relief,” she said.
According to Zukiswa, tension was high during court proceedings as many feared justice would not be served. She added:
“Thumbs up to the law, at least once in our lifetime we have witnessed the law taking the side of women.”
Sisonke’s director, Kholi Buthelezi, celebrated the outcome, noting how important the case was for thigh vendors, many of whom live in fear while working.
“He is so deserving of this sentence. The damage he left to families and children of the victims… he deserves everything that came his way,” she said.