Mpumalanga man jailed for life plus 105 years for GBV spree

The Mpumalanga High Court in Breyten has sentenced 22-year-old Simphiwe Xolani Mkhwanazi to two life terms plus an additional 105 years in prison after convicting him on multiple gender-based violence and related violent offences.

Convictions and sentence

Mkhwanazi was found guilty on ten counts, including murder, four counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping, two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and defeating the administration of justice. The offences occurred between July 2021 and August 2023 in the Amersfoort and Daggakraal areas.

Pattern of attacks

Court testimony and forensic evidence showed a pattern of targeting vulnerable women late at night as they returned from taverns.

“He would threaten his victims with a knife, force them into secluded areas, rape them and rob them of their belongings,” National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said.

Nyuswa said victims lost cellphones, cash and clothing. Two victims were kidnapped, one victim was murdered and buried in a shallow grave, and another was raped in front of family members.

Notable incidents presented in court

Among the incidents detailed at trial:

• On 31 July 2021 in China 1 Section of Amersfoort, Mkhwanazi approached a woman walking home from a party, dragged her to nearby rocks, raped her and robbed her of sneakers valued at R1 500, a cellphone and cash.
• On 7 August 2021 he entered a home armed with a knife, ordered occupants to cover themselves with a blanket, forced a young woman to kneel and raped her in the presence of her family, then stole cellphones and cash.
• On 10 June 2023 a woman walking from a tavern was accosted at knifepoint by Mkhwanazi and an accomplice, taken to an abandoned house, raped and robbed; she reported the attack immediately.

Murder of Ellen Dlamini

In August 2023, 24-year-old Ellen Dlamini was last seen at Etshanini Tavern in Daggakraal. Her family reported her missing, and three days later her body was found buried in a shallow grave. Police discovered Mkhwanazi asleep beside blood-stained clothing; DNA on the clothing matched the deceased.

Buccal samples from the accused linked him to the other offences. The post-mortem showed the deceased had sustained multiple bruises to her face, neck and forehead.

Trial and evidence

At trial Mkhwanazi initially pleaded guilty, claiming the sexual encounters were consensual and alleging romantic relationships with the complainants and that the deceased had “been involved with his father.” He later changed his plea to not guilty, and the State led evidence from victims, eyewitnesses and other witnesses.

Senior State Advocate Themba Lusenga led evidence which, together with DNA analysis, the NPA said, “overwhelmingly implicated the accused.” Victim impact statements compiled with the assistance of Court Preparation Officer Confidence Ntlemo described the profound emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the victims and their families.

Detailed sentencing orders

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the court imposed the following sentences:

• Five years for each count of kidnapping.
• Twenty years for one count of rape.
• Fifteen years for each of two counts of rape.
• Life imprisonment for a further count of rape.
• Life imprisonment for murder.
• Five years for defeating the administration of justice.
• Twenty years for each count of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The court ordered Mkhwanazi’s name entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders, declared him unfit to possess a firearm, and found him unsuitable to work with children.

What the prosecution said

Monica Nyuswa of the NPA summarised the criminal conduct and losses suffered by victims. The NPA also provided the breakdown of the sentences and the court’s ancillary orders.