Judge gets 50 death threats before sentencing racist killer

The vile hate messages sent to Hendricks' cellphone began on Wednesday, notes a report in The Independent on Saturday. The last one was left at noon on Friday - as he was handing down sentence in the Mafikeng High Court in North West province. A tight police guard escorted the judge and prosecutor Sello Maema, who had also received death threats, from the court. North West Police have confirmed they are investigating cases of intimidation. The judge said Nel - who opened fire on defenceless people in an informal settlement, known as Skierlik, killing four - had shown no real remorse. Hendricks continued: 'Racism cannot be tolerated by the courts. The courts must show that racial attacks from whichever group, from black or white, should at all cost be stopped. We, in the 14 years of our democracy, as citizens, need to learn to live together in peace and harmony. We need to create an environment where our children are born free from race hate.' Full report in The Independent on Saturday (subscription needed) See also a Beeld report Judgment

Hendricks (45) is a much-liked judge, according to those who know him. 'He is a no-nonsense man,' said a policeman who claims to have 'had the privilege of listening to almost all of his judgments'. The court manager, Simon Masisi, who has know Hendricks for 10 years, described him as a 'not-status orientated' family man who is very religious. Masisi said Hendricks grew up in the coloured township of Eldorado Park, Johannesburg. 'He is a criminal specialist who takes his work very seriously and does not take anyone for granted.' Florence Manamela, of Mazista, a small township not far from Skierlik, praised the judge, saying he 'has undoubtedly restored our faith in the justice system; he did very well'. According to a City Press report, Manamela said this (conviction) was probably the only thing that the black people of Skierlik have ever achieved. 'They are always forgotten in everything that the government does and I am sure by this judgment, Judge Ronald has given the people of Skierlik some pride and sense of achievement in themselves,' she said. Full City Press report