Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode
{{Short description|South African rapist and serial killer}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox serial killer
|name=Christopher Zikode
|image=
|image_size=
|caption=
|birthname=Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode
|alias=Donnybrook Serial Killer
|birth_date=
|birth_place=Donnybrook, South Africa
|death_date=
|death_place=
|cause=
|victims=18
|country=South Africa
|states=KwaZulu-Natal
|beginyear=1994
|endyear=1995
|apprehended=29 September 1995
|penalty=140 years (5 life sentences)
}}
Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode is a South African rapist and serial killer who was convicted in 1995 on eight counts of murder, five counts of rape, five counts of attempted murder, and two counts of indecent assault.
Crimes
Christopher Mhlengwa Zikode terrorised the small, rural South African town of Donnybrook, KwaZulu-Natal. Over the course of two years, Zikode attacked households as well as single women traversing rural terrain. His typical modus operandi was to force entry into a household and shoot all male members of the family. He would then take the remaining woman/women into nearby fields or plantations and rape them repeatedly, on occasion for more than five hours.
Arrest and conviction
Zikode Zikode was eventually arrested on 29 September 1995.
He was convicted in 1995 with the assistance of South African psychologist and criminal profiler Micki Pistorius.{{cite web | last=La Grange | first=Borrie | title=Neglect of children as damaging as sexual abuse | website=TimesLIVE | date=1 September 2009 | url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/sunday-times/lifestyle/2009-09-01-neglect-of-children--as-damaging-as-sexual-abuse/ | access-date=11 March 2024}} He was convicted in 1995 on eight counts of murder,[https://books.google.com/books?id=oN_QKBYvSloC&dq=christopher+zikode,+serial+killer&pg=PA341 Serial Murderers and their Victims.] five counts of rape, five counts of attempted murder, and two counts of indecent assault. He is, however, considered responsible for at least 18 murders and 11 attempted murders.[http://www.mayhem.net/Crime/serial2.html Serial Killer Hit List.]
He was sentenced on 7 January 1997 to 140 years in prison. Zikode had been arrested for the first time in July 1995 for the attempted murder of Beauty Zulu. While on bail, he is known to have committed further crimes including one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder.
In popular culture
Zikode's case is featured in episode 5 of the Showmax TV series Catch Me a Killer.{{cite web | last=Cannon | first=Nicholas | title=Catch Me A Killer: release date, cast, plot, trailer, episode guide, exclusive interview and everything you need to know | website= What to Watch| date=2 March 2024 | url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/catch-me-a-killer-release-date-cast-plot-trailer-episode-guide-exclusive-interview-and-everything-you-need-to-know | access-date=11 March 2024}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Zikode, Christopher Mhlengwa}}
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
Category:People convicted of indecent assault
Category:People convicted of murder by South Africa
Category:South African people convicted of murder