The Cape High Court on Wednesday handed down 19 life sentences for self-confessed serial killer Asande Baninzi. He was convicted of 14 murders, four rapes of hijacking victims and two armed robberies.
In addition to the 19 life sentences, Baninzi was further sentenced to 189 years of imprisonment.
He appeared before Judge Abe Motala who had the highest praise for investigating officer Inspector Jonathan Morris’ thorough work on the case. The judge said he had no doubt that the community shared his sentiments about Morris’ dedication to duty.
Baninzi, who is presently serving four life sentences for the murder of a family of four living in Delft on the Cape flats, pleaded guilty to 14 murders, 15 hijackings and four rapes.
Morris told the court the Delft family had been ”wiped out” for informing the police of Baninzi’s whereabouts.
According to Baninzi’s plea explanation the mass killings rapes and hijacking happened between May and August 2001 in order to obtain money for drugs.
Baninzi’s partner in crime, Mtutuzeli Nombewu, also known as ”Wox” shot and killed himself when police cornered him in a house in Gugulethu.
The judge said each of the four rape victims had been gang raped by the two and the first victim had been raped twice by both.
He said Baninzi had been only 18 at the time of the murder spree and it was difficult to understand what had driven such a young man to embark on such a life of crime.
Although Baninzi had shown remorse the mitigating factors were far outweighed by the seriousness of the offences and the multitude of times they were committed.
The judge said: ”Over a period of nine months Baninzi and his friend went on a murderous rampage. Not satisfied with their armed robberies they repeatedly raped female victims and then cold bloodedly killed them.”
The judge said it was difficult to express the horror the victims must have felt.
”Baninzi and his friend carried out the highjackings for money for Mandrax but that does not explain or excuse the sheer brutality of the rapes.”
The judge said he saw many tears shed by the family and friends of Baninzi’s deceased victims who have packed the court since the trial started on Monday.
He added: ”I express the court’s deepest sympathy for them.” – Sapa