Elias Xitavhudzi
Serial killer
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- South Africa
- Location
- Atteridgeville, South Africa
- Date of birth
- ???
- Characteristics
- mutilation, serial rapist
- Victim profile
- White women
- Method of murder
- Beating with machete
- Date(s) of murder
- 1960's
- Years active
- 1960
- Date of arrest
- —
- Status
-
Sentenced to death
Executed; sentenced to death.
Case record
Background
Elias Xitavhudzi was a serial killer who murdered 16 people in Atteridgeville, South Africa in the 1960s. His killing spree caused a tremendous sensation locally.
He targeted only white females in a strictly-segregated community in Atteridgeville. Prior to his capture, he acquired the nickname “Pangaman”, panga being a local word for the machete with which he mutilated his victims.
Elias Xitavhudzi was to be only the second in a series of at least a half-dozen serial killers to have plagued the township of Atteridgeville.
The offence
Elias Xitavhudzi murdered 16 people in Atteridgeville, South Africa in the 1960s.
His victims were white females. He used a machete (a long, broad-bladed knife) to kill and mutilate his victims.
Investigation and arrest
Elias Xitavhudzi was captured and was immediately tried after capture.
Trial
Upon capture, Elias Xitavhudzi was swiftly tried and sentenced to death.
Sentencing
Elias Xitavhudzi was sentenced to death.
Outcome
Elias Xitavhudzi was executed.
Aftermath
Elias Xitavhudzi was described as part of a continuing pattern of serial killings in Atteridgeville, which continued to produce “vicious stalkers” on a regular basis, including the still unidentified “Atteridgeville Mutilator.”
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