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Sylvester
MOFOKENG
Classification:
Spree killer
Characteristics: Escape
- Robberies
Number of victims: 12 +
Date of murders: April-June 1995
Date of birth: 1972
Victims profile: Men
and women
Method of murder:
Shooting
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Status:
Sentenced to life + 70 years
in prison for first murder. Sentenced to 10 life terms + 145 years
in prison September 17, 1997
Sylvester Mofokeng
(12)
On September 17, 1997, a former prison
escapee Sylvester Mofokeng, 25, was found guilty of 12 murder and nine
other charges at the Johannesburg High Court. The 12 murders were
committed between April and June 1995. The other charges were for theft,
housebreaking, robbery, attempted murder and unlawful possession of arms
and ammunition.
State advocate Rasigie Bhika asked for life sentences
to be imposed for the murder convictions, and between 15 and 20 years
for the other charges. Bhika referred to Mofokeng's previous convictions,
which dated as far back as 1983 when he was 14 years old. His impressive
criminal record includes multiple convictions and sentences for theft,
robbery, vandalism, unlawful possession of arms and ammunition, escaping
from prison, attempted murder and murder.
Calling him a "professional killer, who was heartless
and without remorse and killed for rewards," Judge Labe sentenced him to
145 years in jail and 10 life sentences. He added the murders were of
such a cruel nature that in the interests of the community it had to be
seen that justice had been done.
When Bhika asked for Mofokeng to sign the document
concerning his previous convictions, he said he could not. After being
prompted by the judge he said: "The gunshot fucked up my hand, so I
cannot write anymore".
Mofokeng was shot and seriously wounded by police in
August last year when he was rearrested, following his escape from
Diepkloof Prison. He escaped on March 23, 1995 -- while serving 70 years
plus life for murder, attempted murder and robbery -- after a prison
soccer match.
Note: In 1995,
Sylvester Mofokeng was taken out of his cell for a soccer game. When he
was returning to prison, he simply jumped out of the truck and ran
through gates that were left unlocked. He was rearrested three months
later, but in August 1996 he escaped again. Somehow he obtained a gun
from a visitor and used it to force guards to release him.
Mayhem.net
Sylvester Mofokeng
September 17, 1997
A former prison escapee Sylvester Mofokeng, 25, was
found guilty of 12 murder and nine other charges at the Johannesburg
High Court. The 12 murders were committed between April and June 1995.
The other charges were for theft, housebreaking, robbery, attempted
murder and unlawful possession of arms and ammunition.
Sylvester Mofokeng
September 18, 1997
Multiple murderer and two-time prison escapee
Sylvester Mofokeng, was sentenced to 145 years in jail and 10 life
sentences by the Johannesburg High Court. Judge Labe called Mofokeng a
"professional killer, who was heartless and without remorse and
killed for rewards." He added the murders were of such a cruel
nature that in the interests of the community it had to be seen that
justice had been done.
SEX: M
RACE: W TYPE: T MOTIVE: CE
MO:
Escaped inmate with prior murder conviction; killed 12 more victims
during home invasions while at large
DISPOSITION:
Life + 70 years for first murder; 10 life terms + 145 years, 1997.
Michael Newton - An Encyclopedia
of Modern Serial Killers - Hunting Humans
