Samukelisiwe Phiri (16) in a picture that was taken on the last day she was seen alive by her mother.

MANZINI – The police have arrested a 21-year-old man in connection with the murder of 10 women around the country.



Mpendulo Mlungu Msibi of Nkwene was arrested on Friday night by the Manzini Serious Crimes Unit also known as Lukhozi in partnership with Matsapha police.



Msibi, who is currently in police custody, confessed to have raped and killed all the women who were found dead by police in different locations after being reported missing by their relatives.

Information gathered was that the suspect made this confession when he was being interrogated by the police. The source said the man allegedly revealed that he raped all his victims before killing them.



It was gathered that he allegedly murdered them by strangulation.

It was discovered that none of the bodies of the women linked to the alleged serial killer had stab wounds or cuts, suggesting other methods of death except strangulation.



Although the matter is handled by the Manzini Serious Crimes Unit (Lukhozi), the alleged serial killer is connected to a number of murders that were committed in places such as Nhlangano, Manzini as well as Mbabane.



Police Public Relations Officer Superintendent Wendy Hleta confirmed the arrest of the man.

“A man has been arrested and charged with numerous counts of rape and murder that happened between 2012 to date around the country,” Hleta said.

She said a man aged 21 years of Nkwene had been arrested in connection with the murder of a 20-year-old female who was found dead on June 1 2014 near Ludzeludze. She was last seen alive buying bottled juice in the area.



“While police were investigating this murder they discovered that the accused person was connected to nine other unsolved murder cases spanning from two years ago,” Hleta revealed.

Suspect seemed to have a penchant for killing teenagers



MANZINI – The alleged serial killer seemed to have had a penchant for killing teenagers.

Most of the victims he confessed to killing were aged between 14 to 18 years. Only two of the 10 women he allegedly killed were aged 20 years and above.



Information received on the matter revealed that the alleged killer would, when visiting certain relatives across the country, commit the heinous offences.

These are the women Msibi confessed to have murdered:

Samukelisiwe Phiri (16) of Murray Camp and Nompumelelo Temabhele (12) of Sihhohhweni were reported missing in March 2012. They were later found dead at Sikhunyane Township in Fairview. They were found dead on April 10, 2012.



A girl aged 16 years attending school at Hlatikhulu Central. She was discovered dead near Hlatikhulu Government Hospital on May 1, 2012.

An unknown woman aged 20 years old found murdered at Ludzeludze area. Her identity is unknown and police have requested members of the public to come forward with any information.



The deceased was last seen buying bottled juice at Ludzeludze.

A teenage girl, aged 16, of Makhobeni was reported missing in April 2012 and was found dead some few days later.

In another case, a woman aged 21years old was found murdered and buried in a farm located at Sidvokodvo. She was found on January 22, 2012

Another girl was found murdered next to the road at Checkers in Mbabane.

Another unknown woman was found killed and buried under sand in a shallow grave at KaPhunga.



A woman aged 18 years of age was found killed at KaShali area in July 26, 2012.

A 14-year-old girl was found dead at Mobeni, Matsapha in February 27, 2014. This was after her family had reported her missing on February 23, 2014.