[size=17pt]Life term for South African racist killer[/size]

November 21, 2008

A 19-year-old white South African has been sentenced to four life terms in jail for killing four black people in a shooting spree in January.Witnesses told the court that while shooting those people, among who were a three-month-old baby and a boy of 10, Johan Nel shouted racist abuse.The killings started angry protests by thousands of people.As he was sentenced, Mr Nel showed no emotion. Racism could not be tolerated, said the judge.After receiving 50 death threats on their mobile phone, judge Ronald Hendricks and the prosecuting lawyer were under police protection, said Lesego Metsi, police spokesman.All the callers were white and said judge Hendricks would be killed if he handed down a life sentence, superintendent Metsi told South Africa’s Times newspaper.

‘Strong message’

Claims that Mr Nel was mentally unfit to stand trial was earlier rejected by psychologist Kobus Truter, who said that he should be sentenced to between 20 and 25 years in prison.According to Mr Truter, Mr Nel, 18 years old at the time of the shooting, believed white people were under attack after his family and friends became the victims of several violent crimes.Most people seem pleased that Mr Nel was given life, because the shooting spree in the Skierlik settlement in a farming area of North West province really shook the nation, said the BBC’s Mpho Lakaje in Johannesburg.He adds that there have been calls to reintroduce the death penalty in the last year.The sentence has been welcomed by the Young Communist League.“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.Mr Nel was also sentenced to 68 years on 11 counts of attempted murder, five years for holding a firearm and three years for possession of ammunition. He was told he would have to wait 25 years to negotiate parole.His lawyers say they will appeal against the sentence.

Source: http://babs22./2008/11/21/life-term-for-south-african-racist-killer/

where are the south African posters?

wont be suprised if white supremacist groups use s.a as their headquarters, even with a black president/cabinet and white minority,they still have the gall to threaten the judge as if they r in the american deep south, black south africans should sencitise people of this danger before it gets out of hand, aids/hiv pandemic is not the only problemthey have to contend with, thank GOD for naija

heres 1 south african poster.did u miss sumthin?

What sort of lenient treatment is this.Only 20years in prison for killing 3 people!!!!!!.He should be sent to the gallows.He will end his prison term at the age of 38

The boy looks like he is Mentally ill

hollandis:

What sort of lenient treatment is this.Only 20years in prison for killing 3 people!!!!!!.He should be sent to the gallows.He will end his prison term at the age of 38

I agree with you. Nelson Mandela was innocent and spend 27 years in prison,where is the Justice?

hollandis:

What sort of lenient treatment is this.Only 20years in prison for killing 3 people!!!!!!.He should be sent to the gallows.He will end his prison term at the age of 38

I am confused.

Where did it say 20 years? I thought that report said 4 life terms? Does that equal 20 years? I also read that he would have to wait 25 years before he can negotiate parole. Am I missing something?