The Phoenix Strangler
Sipho Agmatir Thwala was South Africa’s Phoenix Strangler. Although he only operated for the relatively short period of a year from 1996 to 1997 he was to make it a terrifying year for KwaZulu-Natal province and rapidly became the most wanted man in the region.
His MO was straightforward – he would lure women to sugar cane fields with the promise of work before raping and strangling them with their own underwear, then bury them in shallow graves.
Thwala appeared normal around his family and was above average intelligence. A police profile described him as “intelligent and charming to women, but extremely dangerous”.
He was arrested in 1997 after police matched DNA found on the victims to DNA taken from Thwala several years earlier when he was arrested for rape, though he was later acquitted of those charges.
On 31 March 1999, Thwala was found guilty of 16 murders and 10 rapes, and sentenced to 506 years in prison. In testament to the strength of local feeling about the murders, Thwala’s house was burned down by an angry mob who had received a false tip-off that he was there. His mother and sister were locked inside at the time and only just managed to escape with the help of a friend.
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What’s the point to sentence someone to 506 years in prison? Just in case he doesn’t die as fast as expected?
What a tragic tale of terrible terrible murders of beautiful young women. My heart goes out to them and their families and hope that some day the family members find peace. This man was an absolute coward and looser. No wonder his ex didn’t want his baby. At least he’ll be in prison for the rest of his worthless life, and hopefully is visited every single day by at least one of his vitims spirits. His sentence was very good unlike in the UK where the highest sentences are to do with stealing money.
Why is he called the “Phoenix” strangler, not just a serial rapist/murderer? Why does such a guy get such a cool nickname as “the Phoenix Strangler”, that sounds like a UFC submission lock or something.
Oh and i think the whole 506 year sentence is just for continuity of judicial decisions. You should convict someone of all their crimes, regardless of whether their first couple crimes results in a life sentence. ALthough, they could have just made it easy and gone with “life without parole”. I wasn’t able to watch the video, so i apoilogize if i missed something.
@Mantis
The “UFC submission lock” comment made me laugh.