True Crime Friday: Moses Sithole, the ABC Serial Killer
Moses Sithole was born November 17, 1964, in South Africa. He is a rapist and prolific serial killer. He received the moniker of ABC Serial Killer because his victims were from Atteridgeville, Boksburg and Cleveland suburbs of Johannesburg. The murders may not have been in that order, but the moniker has stuck to this killer. Moses Sithole murdered at least thirty women and one toddler between 16 July 1994 through 1995. Sithole was sentenced to 2,410 years imprisonment and is currently in prison.
The Early Childhood of Moses Sithole
Moses Sithole was five years old, when his father died. His mother was distraught and could not or would not raise the family on her own. So, she took all the kids to the police station and left them. She asked the children not to tell the authorities her name. The children were placed in an orphanage. The children were mistreated while living at the orphanage. Sithole ran away from the orphanage to his mother, and she quickly took him back. He said at that moment of being rejected by his mother he began to hate women. All women were seen as the enemy because of the of the abandonment of his mother. His hatred for his mother was palpable.The Victims of Moses Sithole
- Maria Monene Monama,
- Amanda Kebofile
- Joyce Thakane Mashabela
- Refilwe Amanda Mokale,
- Rose Rebothile Mogotsi
- Unidentified Victim
- Beauty Nuku Soko,
- Sara Matlakala Mokono
- Nikiwe Diko
- Letta Nomthandazo Ndlangamandla
- Sibusiso Nomthandazo Ndlangamandla
- Esther Moshibudi Mainetja
- Granny Dimakatso Ramela
- Elizabeth Granny Mathetsa
- Mildred Ntiya Lepule
- Francina Nomsa Sithebe
- Ernestina Mohadi Mosebo
- Elsie Khoti Masango
- Josephine Mantsali Mlangeni
- Oscarina Vuyokazi Jakalase
- Unidentified Victim
- Makoba Tryphina Mogotsi
- Unidentified Victim
- Unidentified Victim
- Nelisiwe Nontobeko Zulu
- Amelia Dikamakatso Rapodile
- Unidentified Victim
- Monica Gabisile Vilakazi
- Hazel Nozipho Madikizela
- Tsidi Malekoae Matela
- Unidentified Victim
- Unidentified Victim
- Unidentified Victim
- Agnes Sibongile Mbuli
- Unidentified Victim
- Beauty Ntombi Ndabeni
- Unidentified Victim
- Unidentified Victim
He created a shell organization called Youth Against Human Abuse. He had business cards and applications printed giving legitimacy to his shell company. He was well dressed and well-spoken, so women believed him when he asked them to meet him for the possibility of a job. Many of these women were desperate trying to provide for their families and he took advantage of their vulnerable status. The crimes were so horrific that then President Nelson Mandela visited Boksburg in person and appealed to the public for help apprehending the serial killer.
Most of his victims were being interviewed for positions with Sithole's fake company. He would take them to remote fields. He would then beat, rape, and murder them. He would strangle them with their own underwear. He left a two-year-old to die from exposure after a head wound and killing the mother of the child.
Lady Justice
Moses Sithole was identified as having been seen with one of the victims in August 1995. He was being investigated for the murders and rapes when he disappeared. The authorities were closing in on him. So in October of 1995, he contacted South African journalist Tamsen de Beer. He admitted to committing the murders stating that he did so because of his previous imprisonment for rape. He claimed to have killed seventy-six women, but the authorities found proof of thirty-eight. Sithole gave directions to where one of the bodies had been left. He was eventually caught in Johannesburg where he was shot while trying to attack an officer with a hatchet. Moses Sithole was driven to the hospital; he was diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) andTuberculosis (TB). Sithole was sentenced to 2,410 years imprisonment and is currently in prison for the rest of his evil miserable life.