/ 17 November 2008

Skierlik murder accused pleads guilty

Skierlik murder accused Johan Nel pleaded guilty to four charges of murder and 11 charges of attempted murder in the Mmabatho High Court on Monday, North West police said.

”He pleaded guilty to all the charges, up to the 17th charge,” said Superintendent Lesego Metsi.

”He didn’t show any emotion,” he added.

Nel (18) was facing four counts of murder, 11 of attempted murder, a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition and damage to property. The charge of damage to property was dropped, said Metsi.

The court would hear evidence from a psychologist when the hearing continued after lunch on Monday.

Nel was declared mentally fit to stand trial on April 14, following his referral for psychiatric observation in February.

He allegedly went on a shooting spree in the Skierlik informal settlement in the North West on January 14. The attack, which was believed to have been racially motivated, left four people dead and several wounded.

Enoch Tshepo Motshelanoka (10), Anna Moiphitlhi (31), her three-month-old baby Kegitlho Elizabeth Moiphitlhi and Sivuyile Banani (35) were killed during the attack. — Sapa