/ 19 September 2000

SERIAL KILLER GETS 137 YEARS

THE man known as the “saloon killer”, Velaphi Ndlangamandla, who killed 19 people in a five-month reign of terror in Mpumalanga in 1998, has been sentenced to 137 years’ imprisonment. Ndlangamandla, 34, was convicted of 19 murder charges, nine of attempted murder, six robbery charges, one attempted robbery charge, five housebreaking charges (three of housebreaking with intent to steal and theft and two of housebreaking with intent to rob and robbery), indecent assault, illegal possession of an arm and ammunition and pointing a firearm. The police task team which tracked him down is to be honoured at a special function in recognition of their efforts.