Skierlik judge gets death threats

2008-11-21 14:55

Johannesburg ? The Young Communist League on Friday welcomed the sentencing of Skierlik killer Johan Nel.

"This sends a strong message that perpetrators of heinous and racist murders will be brought to book and rot in jail," the league said in a statement.

Nel will spend the rest of his life behind bars, the Mmabatho High Court ruled on Friday in sentencing him to more than 100 years in prison.

Nel killed Enoch Tshepo Motshelanoka, 10, Anna Moiphitlhi, 31, her 3-month-old baby Kegitlho Elizabeth Moiphitlhi and Sivuyile Banani, 35, in a racially-motivated shooting spree in the Skierlik informal settlement, near Swartruggens, on January 14.

Another eight people were wounded in the attack, and three were shot at.

Nel received four life sentences for the murders, reported The Times.

He was sentenced to an additional 68 years for the attempted murders - seven years on each of eight of the charges and four years on each of the remaining three counts.

He also received five years for possession of a firearm and three years for possession of ammunition. A charge of damage to property was withdrawn.

North West police spokesperson Superintendent Lesego Metsi said Judge Ronald Hendricks did not indicate whether the charges would run concurrently.

Metsi said that Judge Hendricks and an advocate of the state were under police protection after each receiving 50 death threats on their cellphones when the court adjourned on Wednesday.

A case of intimidation had been opened.

- SAPA