Culture

SA court sentences 21-year-old man to life imprisonment for raping, murdering six Zimbabwean sex workers

Published

11 hours ago

September 19, 2024

A South Gauteng High Court sitting in Palm Ridge, South Africa has sentenced a 21-year-old man, Sifiso Naseeb Mkhwanazi, to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of six Zimbabwean sex workers in Johannesburg.

Mkhwanazi was on Wednesday convicted of six counts of murder, six counts of rape, six counts of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice, as well as unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, and was also given another 170 years for his crimes.

The trial judge, Cassim Moosa, who delivered the sentence, declared Mkhwanazi a “dangerous criminal who was arrogant and threatened the well-being of other people in society.’

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) which prosecuted the case for the state, had outlined that the plethora of charges against Mkhwanazi emanate from the discovery of six female bodies at the premises of a panel beating business owned by his father in Rosettenville, in October 2022.

“One of the caretakers had discovered a female’s deceased body at one of the unused offices at the premises and alerted the owner of the premises. The business owner, who is the father of the accused, summoned the South African Police Service (SAPS),” spokesperson for the NPA, Phindi Mjonondwane said.

“Upon investigation by SAPS members, five more bodies were discovered at various locations within the premises. Further investigations led to the arrest of Mkhwanazi.”

The NPA submitted that Mkhwanazi raped and killed the six sex workers he had picked up in the Johannesburg CBD, between April and October 2022.

During trial, Mkhwanazi 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 the panel beating business.

Mkhwanazi’s defence counsel, Vuyo Maqetuka, argued that he killed the sex workers after they raised the prices they had initially agreed upon, and out of fear that he would be arrested.

“The accused was triggered in all six times that he might be arrested for rape again. When they wanted more money, that’s when he was angered,” Maqetuka told the court.

However, Judge Moosa differed, saying:

“Six times, why didn’t he stay away from the sex workers?”

In delivering judgment, Judge Moosa emphasised that, despite the accused’s age at the time of the murders, he remained a dangerous criminal.

“I have carefully considered the relative age of the accused when he committed his crimes and the argument that he should be regarded as relatively youthful when considering a suitable sentence to be imposed upon him.

“Having done so and accepting that he was 19 years old at the time of the commission of the crimes, I am compelled to conclude that the supposed relative youthfulness simply pales into the background having due regard into the horrendous nature of his actions.”

The judge added that the crimes Mkhwanazi was convicted of, along with the condition of the victims’ bodies, clearly demonstrated a high level of violence against them.

“There was an extremely great degree of premeditation involved on the part of the accused over a period of time in the commission of the crimes”.

Moosa expressed the view that Mkhwanazi showed no 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.”

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Culture

Janet Jackson pulls out of ‘DStv Delicious Festival’ after brother’s death

Published

1 day ago

September 18, 2024

Isaac Dachen

African-American popstar, Janet Jackson, has announced pulling out of the much-anticipated “DStv Delicious Festival” which will hold on Saturday, September 21, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

According to her management team, Jackson will no longer be performing at the festival following the death of her brother, Tito.

The organizers of the ‘DStv Delicious Festival” have also confirmed that ‘Janet Jackson will no longer be able to perform at the food and music festival this Saturday.”

Janet’s management team shared the following with the festival’s organisers:

“Janet’s brother Tito passed away this past Sunday. For obvious reasons, Janet has to cancel her performance at the DStv Delicious Festival to be with family.

“Management is making plans to come back next year. Janet also wishes to thank all of her South African fans for the warm and heart-felt support she’s receiving at this difficult time.”

The DStv Delicious organisers in the statement said they are sending their “deepest condolences and support to Janet and her family during this time of mourning.”

The organisers also expressed they are working on securing an international replacement for Janet Jackson, and have offered ticket holders the opportunity to exchange their tickets for Sunday, if they wish to.

“We understand that many fans were excited to see Janet Jackson perform, and the Festival’s Management Team is actively working on securing a suitable international replacement headliner to ensure an unforgettable experience.

“We appreciate the understanding and support of our festival community during this time of change, and we look forward to a memorable celebration of music, culture, and unity at DStv Delicious Festival Powered by Lottostar.”

Culture

Zimbabwe to kill 200 elephants for drought-ravaged communities

Published

2 days ago

September 17, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

According to wildlife officials on Tuesday, Zimbabwe intends to slaughter 200 elephants in order to feed populations who are very hungry following the worst drought in 40 years.

Over 68 million people in southern Africa have been affected by the drought brought on by El Nino, which also caused food shortages throughout the region.

“We can confirm that we are planning to cull about 200 elephants across the country. We are working on modalities on how we are going to do it,” Tinashe Farawo, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks) spokesperson, told journalists.

He declared that the drought-affected villages in Zimbabwe will receive the elephant meatballs. Hence, the districts of Hwange, Mbire, Tsholotsho, and Chiredzi will host the nation’s first cull since 1988.

Zimbabwe decision comes after bordering Namibia decided to slaughter 83 elephants last month and give meat to those affected by the drought.

One of the greatest elephant populations in the world is found in the southern African countries of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia, where over 200,000 elephants are thought to reside in a protection area.

According to Farawo, the culling is a component of the nation’s efforts to reduce the number of elephants in its parks, which can only hold 55,000 of them. There are more than 84,000 elephants in Zimbabwe.

“It’s an effort to decongest the parks in the face of drought. The numbers are just a drop in the ocean because we are talking of 200 (elephants) and we are sitting on plus 84,000, which is big,” he said.

Conflicts between people and wildlife can worsen during a drought this bad because supplies become more scarce. 50 people died in Zimbabwe from elephant attacks last year.

The nation has been urging the United Nations’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to restore trade in ivory and live elephants. It is praised for its conservation efforts and increasing elephant population.

Zimbabwe, which has one of the biggest populations of elephants, possesses stqqqockpiles of ivory worth over $600,000 that it is unable to sell.