SA: Serial killer targeted Zimbabwean sex workers; ‘killings were revenge after he was jailed in Zim’

By Agencies

SOUTH AFRICA: A sex worker who escaped unharmed from alleged serial killer, Sifiso Mkhwanazi, was a South African citizen, it has emerged.

Investigating Officer, Sergeant Bongani Mbonambi, said this on Monday while testifying in the murder trial of Mkhwanazi at the Johannesburg High Court.

The State is arguing that the 21-year-old Mkhwanazi only targeted sex workers from Zimbabwe.

This follows revelations that three bodies identified by DNA testing were all from Zimbabwe.

Mkhwanazi has acknowledged that he killed each of the six prostitutes. However, he denied that the murders were premeditated.

He has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, six counts of murder, and six counts of defeating the ends of justice, among others.

Last week, Investigating Officer Mbonambi said DNA samples were compared with family members and confirmed the identities of victims Nyarai Chihota, Patricia Magaiza, and Joyce Moyo.

Police also found condoms, underwear, and blood when combing through the murder scene.

On Monday, prosecutor advocate Leswikane Mashabela asked whether Mbonambi could comment on the nationality of the deceased.

The officer claimed that Mkhwanazi picked up a South African sex worker, but she was neither harmed nor robbed.

He added that, in Mkhwanazi’s admission, the killings were for revenge.

Previously, the court heard that Mkhwanazi spent 10 months in jail after a Zimbabwean sex worker opened a rape case against him. The women later withdrew the case.

The State maintains that Mkhwanazi took the victims to a location where he could do with them as he pleased, planned the murders, and raped the victims.

A handful of sex workers were in the public gallery during Monday’s court hearing.

The trial continues on Wednesday.