THE trial of Sifiso Mkhwanazi, who is accused of killing six workers, has been postponed to Monday, 5 February.
Mkwanazi appeared before the Joburg High Court on Friday, 2 February.
The case was postponed to give the state and the accused the opportunity to enter into plea bargaining.
Senior state Advocate Leswikane Mashabela informed the court that the negotiations were unsuccessful and that the state was prepared to proceed with the trial.
Mkhwanazi (21) faces charges of six counts of murder, seven counts of rape, six counts of obstructing the administration of justice, robbery with aggravating circumstances and unauthorised possession of firearms and ammunition.
The charges stem from the discovery of six female bodies on the premises of a panel beater shop in Rossettenville, south of Joburg in October 2022.
One of the caretakers had discovered the body of a woman in one of the unused offices and alerted the owner of the business.
The shop owner, who is the father of the accused, called the South African Police Service (SAPS).
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During investigations by police five more bodies were discovered at various locations on the premises and further investigations led to the arrest of Mkhwanazi.
The state alleged that between April and October 2022, Mkhwanazi raped and killed six sex workers he picked up in Joburg city centre.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and entered a guilty plea in terms of section 220 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA).
He admitted to killing the women with a chokehold and obstructing justice by hiding their bodies in various locations on the company's premises.
Mkhwanazi also admitted to the charge of robbery with aggravating circumstances for robbing one of the deceased of her cellphone and unlawfully taking his father’s firearm and ammunition.
However, Mkhwanazi denied raping the women and claimed it was consensual sex with the agreement of money for sex.
He denied planning the murders of the women and said the crimes were committed because the women reneged on their agreement to pay for sex and demanded more money.
Mkhwanazi explained that their actions triggered emotions of anger as he had previously spent 10 months in prison after a sex worker accused him of rape but later withdrew the false accusations.
