Serial killer Velaphi Ndlangamandla, known as "the saloon killer", was on Monday sentenced to a total of 137 years' imprisonment by a circuit court judge sitting in Piet Retief, Mpumalanga police reported on Tuesday.
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.
Police Superintendent Izak van Zyl said a number of police members, including those in the investigation task team, would be honoured at a special function.
Ndlangamandla's five-month killing rampage left 19 people dead. He was arrested by members of the task team at Phoswa village near Piet Retief on September 10, 1998.
Provincial police commissioner Eric Nkabinde on Tuesday praised Mpumalanga police for the efforts they put into investigating the case against Ndlangamandla.
"Not only do they deserve the highest form of recognition, for good work done, but they also succeeded in putting Mpumalanga police on the map as a policing community with pride and integrity," he said.
"To all the criminals out there: this should serve as a warning to stop your criminal activities. You are not going to get away for long." - Sapa