THE father of the young man who is accused of killing six sex workers claimed his son confessed before him.
Mark Khumalo told the court that his son, Sifiso Mkhwanazi, confessed when he visited him at the Johannesburg Central Police Station.
The visit came after Mkhwanazi was arrested for allegedly killing sex workers.
Khumalo testified during a trial within a trial at the Joburg High Court sitting in Palm Ridge on Tuesday, 6 February.
Judge Cassim Moosa ordered that a trial-within-a-trial be heard to consider the admissibility of the confession Mkhwanazi allegedly made to his father while the matter was in the Johannesburg Magistrates Court.
The state prosecutor, Advocate Leswikane, initially argued that the confession was made freely and voluntarily. In contrast, defence lawyer Vuyo Maqetuka argued that the accused was unduly influenced as a police officer was present.
Maqetuka argued that the confession deals with the accused’s main contention, which is the state’s allegation that the murders were premeditated.
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Mkhwanazi (21) is charged with six counts of murder after six partially decomposed bodies of sex workers were found at his father’s place of business nearly two years ago.
Mkhwanazi allegedly confessed to the murders during a conversation with his father, Mark, who is the state’s second witness.
Mark said his son called him last year and told him he would appear in court, and there was something he wanted to tell him.
"I met my son during his court appearance in the lower court, but there was no time to speak to him.
"I spoke to the investigation officer after my son's court appearance and told him my son wanted to see me,” said Mark.
He said the officer told him he was going to arrange for an identity parade and I would get a chance to talk to his son.
He said on the day of the identity parade, he managed to speak to his son.
"We went into a room allocated to us with an investigation officer who then left us to talk alone on the third floor.
"We were the only people alone in that room. I'm the one who closed the door. He was regretful, disoriented, and disturbed by the way I saw him," said Mark.
The father added that he never assaulted and promised him money in exchange for the information.
The trial continues on Wednesday, 7 February.
