Man could face 50 murder charges

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Today we unmask one of the Cape’s worst-ever alleged mass murderers. The Daily Voice has learned Phindile Mhlobo was this week arrested and charged with five gruesome murders. But cops say Mhlobo, who they believe to be a notorious Cape Flats gang boss, could have the blood of up to 50 victims on his hands. A senior police source tells the Daily Voice: “This guy is the regional leader of the 28s gang – he is a big shot and considered one of Khayelitsha’s high-flyers. “When the cops are done with their investigation, he could face up to 50 murder charges.” Few other multi-murder cases have seen so many alleged victims.

If police sources are correct and Mhlobo is convicted of these murders, he will go down in history as one of the country’s worst ever mass murderers.

South Africa’s most notorious multiple murderer, Moses Sithole, was responsible for 38 murders and 40 rapes.

The Cape’s most notorious killer – the Station Strangler Norman Afzal Simons – was convicted of just one murder, but it is believed he killed at least 22 young boys in Mitchell’s Plain in the mid-1980s.

This week, Mhlobo was formally charged with five gruesome murders this year alone.

There were dramatic scenes as the suspect was escorted to Khayelitsha Magistrates’ Court by cops.

Aside from the five murders, Mhlobo also faces separate charges of attempted murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The current charges against Mhlobo stem from the massacre of victims who were apparently making too much noise while watching a match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates on TV.

Mhlobo is also charged with the death of Themba Patrick Hlazo on November 28, 2010, when he was shot twice in the upper body.

Earlier this year, a nail-biting soccer match between Soweto giants Amakhosi and the Buccaneers became too much for the alleged killer.

Cops claim he shot and killed Zola Mgujulwa and Mhlangabezi Gxilishe and attempted to kill Tatende Gond on August 27, 2011.

Gond was shot in the chin and miraculously survived the attack.

On the same day he allegedly assaulted and robbed Masibulele Jada, Lindikhaya Mgotywa, Goodwin Zinzada and Nikelwa Dyosiba.

A month later, on September 21, Mhlobo allegedly gunned down Terence Gushman and Jabu Madikane.

He also allegedly assaulted and robbed Lankie Rasmente of R700 cash.

Mhlobo hoped to launch his bail application this week, but the case was postponed because his lawyer was not at court.

* This article was published on p10 of the Daily Voice.