Threats against the judge who sentenced Skierlik killer, Johan Nel, will not be tolerated, the North West branch of Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Saturday.

"We deplore the serious threats that have been made against judge (Ronald Hendricks) and others who stood up for justice," said spokesperson Solly Phetoe.

"We welcome the long jail sentences imposed on a racist murderer and feel that justice has been done."

The Saturday Star reported that Judge Hendricks received 50 death threats this week.

He sentenced self-confessed racist killer, Nel on Friday, to 176 years in jail.

According to the Saturday Star the fiftieth threat was sent to his cellphone and read "you will die before you pass sentence".

North West police confirmed that they were investigating the death threats, said the newspaper.

Hendriks and prosecutor Dello Maema, who's life was also threatened, had to be escorted by police from the Mafikeng High Court in the North West.

Nel received four life sentences for the murders.

He was sentenced to an additional 68 years for the attempted murders – seven years on each of eight of the charges and four years on each of the remaining three counts.

He also received five years for possession of a firearm and three years for possession of ammunition. A charge of damage to property was withdrawn.

He killed Enoch Tshepo Motshelanoka (10), Anna Moiphitlhi (31), her 3-month-old baby Kegitlho Elizabeth Moiphitlhi and Sivuyile Banani (35), in a racially-motivated shooting spree in the Skierlik informal settlement, near Swartruggens, on 14 January.

Another eight people were wounded in the attack and Nel shot at but missed another three.

Sapa