RACIST killer Johan Nel got married this week but, unlike any other new groom, he cannot touch or embrace his bride.
Nel married Maryna Naudé, believed to be 18, on Wednesday at the Ramochana prison in Rustenburg.
He is serving four life sentences in maximin security for the 2008 murder of four black people in the Skierlik informal settlement near Swartruggens.
Nel shocked the world when he went on a shooting spree, killing Sivuyile Peyi, 37, Annah Moiphitlhi, 31, Elizabeth Moiphitlhi, three-months-old, and Tshepo Motshelanoka, 10. He also left eight others wounded.
Unlike his murder trial - which drew massive public and media attention - Nel's wedding was low key. There were no friends or extended family members in attendance.
The only people who witnessed the nuptials were his parents, in-laws, a priest and social worker.
Department of correctional service's Sarie Peens confirmed the marriage.
She said: "Yes it is true that he is married. It was not a very long ceremony and could not have taken more than about half an hour at the most.
"He was allowed to wear his private clothes and immediately after the ceremony, the families left and he went back to his prison clothes."
When asked if the marriage meant Nel would be allowed conjugal rights, Peens said: "Not at all. He is a prisoner and that means he cannot have any contact with her. He will not have any conjugal rights."
Nel is currently in the prison's maximum security and is not allowed any contact visits. He will first have to be reclassified and move to a general section where he can receive visitors. Nel could be moved to the general section on the basis of good behaviour.
"He is serving four life sentences, so we cannot put a time frame on it," Peens said.
Emily Moiphitli, whose daughter Annah and granddaughter Elizabeth were murdered by Nel, wished the newlyweds luck.
"I wish them well and may God bless their marriage," Moiphitli said under forced laughter.
But Dikeledi Motshelanoka, who lost her nephew Tshepo in the attack, was upset.
"It seems that even in prison, this guy still has freedom. I doubt if any black person would be afforded such rights," she said.
The Kgetleng Rivier local municipality said they had no comment about Nel's wedding. A statement from their communications department said: "We hope his time in prison has helped him transform into a better person.
"What happened in Skierlik was very painful and we would like to move on and put it behind us.
"It will do us no good dwelling on what happened in the past," the statement said.
Racist killer weds in jail
RACIST killer Johan Nel got married this week but, unlike any other new groom, he cannot touch or embrace his bride.
Nel married Maryna Naudé, believed to be 18, on Wednesday at the Ramochana prison in Rustenburg.
He is serving four life sentences in maximin security for the 2008 murder of four black people in the Skierlik informal settlement near Swartruggens.
Nel shocked the world when he went on a shooting spree, killing Sivuyile Peyi, 37, Annah Moiphitlhi, 31, Elizabeth Moiphitlhi, three-months-old, and Tshepo Motshelanoka, 10. He also left eight others wounded.
Unlike his murder trial - which drew massive public and media attention - Nel's wedding was low key. There were no friends or extended family members in attendance.
The only people who witnessed the nuptials were his parents, in-laws, a priest and social worker.
Department of correctional service's Sarie Peens confirmed the marriage.
She said: "Yes it is true that he is married. It was not a very long ceremony and could not have taken more than about half an hour at the most.
"He was allowed to wear his private clothes and immediately after the ceremony, the families left and he went back to his prison clothes."
When asked if the marriage meant Nel would be allowed conjugal rights, Peens said: "Not at all. He is a prisoner and that means he cannot have any contact with her. He will not have any conjugal rights."
Nel is currently in the prison's maximum security and is not allowed any contact visits. He will first have to be reclassified and move to a general section where he can receive visitors. Nel could be moved to the general section on the basis of good behaviour.
"He is serving four life sentences, so we cannot put a time frame on it," Peens said.
Emily Moiphitli, whose daughter Annah and granddaughter Elizabeth were murdered by Nel, wished the newlyweds luck.
"I wish them well and may God bless their marriage," Moiphitli said under forced laughter.
But Dikeledi Motshelanoka, who lost her nephew Tshepo in the attack, was upset.
"It seems that even in prison, this guy still has freedom. I doubt if any black person would be afforded such rights," she said.
The Kgetleng Rivier local municipality said they had no comment about Nel's wedding. A statement from their communications department said: "We hope his time in prison has helped him transform into a better person.
"What happened in Skierlik was very painful and we would like to move on and put it behind us.
"It will do us no good dwelling on what happened in the past," the statement said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos