Themba Anton Sukude was born on May 16, 1974. He grew up in South Africa and spoke Zulu as his first language. His educational journey was cut short when he dropped out of school after completing just grade three.

On the night of Valentine's Day 2004, Themba Anton Sukude approached a couple in Trim Park. He attacked the male victim with a rock, striking him twice, which led to the man's death. Sukude then assaulted the female victim, slapped her, and dragged her to a nearby ditch, where he raped her while threatening her with a knife. After the attack, he instructed her to get dressed and left the scene without taking anything. The woman reported the incident to the police.

Later, on 27 October 2004, Sukude attacked a taxi driver and his girlfriend. After the taxi driver was fatally struck with a rock, Sukude threatened the woman with a knife and raped her. He then searched the taxi, set a small fire inside, and stole the woman's purse and phones before escaping. This crime shared similarities with the earlier Valentine’s Day attack, leading investigators to connect them.

On 26 November 2004, Sukude killed another man, bludgeoning him with a rock along a footpath. The man sustained severe injuries, with his face swelling and his eyes pushed back. Although the victim was missing pants and shoes, no female victim was found, and no one came forward to report another attack.

The following year, on 7 January 2005, Sukude attacked an Indian man walking home after visiting his sister. He beat him with a rock. The man was discovered alive but later died in the hospital due to his injuries. A roll of money was found near his body.

Sukude was apprehended on 8 March 2005 after he made a confession to a stranger about his crimes. The man later located Sukude and called the police. While Sukude's rape victims identified him in an identity parade, he continued to deny his involvement. Police searched his tent near the crime scenes but found no direct evidence linking him to the other attacks.

His trial took place in April 2006. The testimony of the two rape victims helped connect all the murders through forensic psychological analysis. On 26 April 2006, Sukude was found guilty of four murders and multiple sexual assaults. He received five life sentences and an additional 40 years for other crimes. He became the first serial killer in South Africa to be convicted through linkage analysis. He will be eligible for parole in 2031.