Man Suspected of Being South Africa's Worst Serial Rapist Hangs Himself Before Trial

Was facing 122 charges for murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder

(Reuters)—A man suspected of being South Africa's worst known serial rapist has been found dead in his prison cell hours before he was to go trial on charges that included sexually assaulting 34 children, prosecutors said on Thursday.

Sifiso Makhubo, 42, was facing a total of 122 charges for murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, and attempted murder by infecting his victims with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

He was thought to have hanged himself with a blanket in his prison cell and authorities were investigating the circumstances of his death.