Velaphi Ndlangamandla

Velaphi Ndlangamandla (born c. 1966), known as the Saloon Killer after the type of gun he used, is a South African robber and serial killer.

Velaphi Ndlangamandla
Born	c. 1966
Other names	"The Saloon Killer"
Conviction(s)	Murder
Criminal penalty	137 years' imprisonment
Details
Victims	19
Span of crimes	April – September 1998
Country	South Africa
State(s)	Mpumalanga
Date apprehended	10 September 1998

Early life

Velaphi Ndlangamandla was born around 1966.^[1]

Crimes

Ndlangamandla killed 19 people between April and September 1998 in Mpumalanga by shooting them. He also stole items ammunition, radios, jewellery, clothing, cash and food from dwellings.^[2]

He gained the moniker the "Saloon Killer", because he used a stolen .22 Anschütz rifle, commonly called a “saloon”.^[2]

Arrest and conviction

Forensic psychologist and investigator Micki Pistorius assisted with his arrest and conviction.^{[3][4][5][page needed]}

A police task team arrested Ndlangamandla at the Phoswa Village near Piet Retief on 10 September 1998. He was charged with 19 counts of murder, 9 of attempted murder, 6 of robbery, one of attempted robbery, 5 of housebreaking (3 with intent to steal and theft and 2 with intent to rob and robbery), indecent assault, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and pointing a firearm.^[1][6]

In September 2000 Ndlangamandla was convicted of all charges, and sentenced to 137 years' imprisonment.^[1]

In popular media

Ndlangamandla's case is featured in episodes 10 and 11 of the Showmax drama series Catch Me a Killer, released in February 2024. The series dramatises cases in which Micki Pistorius helps to obtain a conviction.^[7][8]

See also

• List of serial killers in South Africa
• List of serial killers by number of victims

References

1. "'Saloon killer' gets 137 years for 19 murders". IOL. 19 September 2000.
2. Bains, Sanjeeta (4 March 2024). "'Forget FBI, I've caught more than 35 serial killers and here's how I did it'". The Mirror. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
3. Tibbatts, Emily (26 June 2003). "Micki Pistorius, une profileuse en Afrique du Sud". TUEURS EN SERIE.org. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
4. Pistorius, Micki (2012). Strangers On The Street - Serial homicide in South Africa. ISBN 9780143527176.
5. Pistorius, Micki (2012). Catch me a Killer: Serial murders - a profiler's true story. ISBN 9780143526827.
6. "Serial killer gets 137 years". The Mail & Guardian. 19 September 2000. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
7. Cannon, Nicholas (2 March 2024). "Catch Me A Killer: release date, cast, plot, trailer, episode guide, exclusive interview and everything you need to know". whattowatch.com. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
8. Goldbart, Max (25 January 2024). "'Catch Me a Killer': Showmax unveils trailer for serial killer profiler series starring 'Game of Thrones' Charlotte Hope" (video + text). Deadline.