Child killer Moyhdian Pangkaeker dies in prison

The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed the death of Moyhdian Pangkaeker, who was sentenced for the rape and murder of Tazne Van Wyk.

In a statement shared with the media, Singabakho Nxumalo said Pangkaeker had died in his sleep.

Nxumalo said: “The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirms the passing of offender Moyhdian Pangkaeker.

“He died in his sleep and was discovered by officials on 18 November 2025.

“Pangaker was serving a life sentence at Brandvlei Maximum Centre for multiple offences, including seven counts of rape, five counts of assault, five counts of common assault, one count of corpse violation, and one count of murder.

“The family has been duly informed of this unfortunate incident.”

In February 2023, Moyhdian Pangkaeker was sentenced to nine life terms (225 years) plus an additional 34.5 years - over 250 years total, running concurrently - for an effective 25-year prison sentence.

Eight-year-old Tazne was snatched from her Ravensmead home in February 2020.

She was later found murdered and dumped in a stormwater drain in Worcester.

In his judgment, Judge Alan Maher said the state relied on circumstantial evidence to prove that he kidnapped, raped, murdered and desecrated Tazne’s corpse by cutting off her hand.

He said Pangaeker’s claims that his DNA was found under her nails as he tried to save her from kidnappers was proven to be false when under cross examination he said his hands were tied behind his back.

“He clearly knew where she was and pointed out her body to the SAPS on the night of his arrest. The obvious conclusion is that he knew Tazne was dead because he was the killer.”

The judge recommended no parole eligibility.

He also found guilty of eight counts of child rape, the sexual assault and exploitation of children, incest with his eie biological daughter, and desecration of a body.

During sentencing, Judge Alan Maher called Pangkaeker a "deceitful, manipulative, and cruel individual" and a "cunning and dangerous criminal" who should not return to society.

He was ordered onto the National Sex Offenders Registry. Pangkaeker had 11 prior convictions, including murder, dating back to 1981, and was on parole during these crimes.