A 22-year-old Mpumalanga man, Simphiwe Xolani Mkhwanazi, has been sentenced to two life terms imprisonment and an additional 105 years behind bars after being convicted of a string of violent crimes.
Mkhwanazi was found guilty on multiple charges, including four counts of rape, murder and robbery.
According to evidence presented in court, Mkhwanazi targeted women who were returning home from taverns. He allegedly followed his victims before attacking them, committing acts of sexual violence and robbery.
The court heard that his crimes left several victims traumatised and resulted in the loss of one life.
In handing down sentence, the court imposed two life sentences for the most serious offences, while the remaining convictions attracted a combined additional sentence of 105 years’ imprisonment.
The sentence has been welcomed as a significant victory in the fight against gender-based violence and violent crime.
Authorities have commended investigators and prosecutors whose work led to the successful conviction and sentencing.
