A trial within a trial is under way in the State's case against alleged serial killer

JOHANNESBURG - A trial within a trial is underway on Tuesday at the Johannesburg High Court sitting in Palm Ridge in the State's case against alleged serial killer Sifiso Mkhwanazi.

Mkhwanazi is accused of killing six women between April and October 2022

The 21-year-old faces six murder charges and seven counts of rape among other charges.  

During proceedings, it emerged that Mkhwanazi's father Mark Khumalo visited him after his first court appearance - where according to Khumalo his son admitted to committing the crimes.

The court took a short adjournment and when proceedings resumed - Judge Cassem Moosa ruled that a trial within a trial is in the interest of justice to determine if the confession was given freely and voluntarily.

"The court now orders that a trial within a trial be heard in order to determine the admissibility of the confession."