Court denies bail to Hillary Gardee murder accused
Accused number one in the murder trial of Hillary Gardee has been denied bail.
Sipho Mkhatshwa appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
Mkhatshwa, together with Philemon Lukhele, and Mduduzi Nkala face charges of murder, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, rape, possession of firearms, and defeating the ends of justice.
Delivering the judgment in a packed courtroom, Magistrate Eddie Hall said the accused did not cite independent evidence.
"He failed to show that there are factors that in the interest of justice permit his release on bail or that there are exceptional circumstances. He failed to adduce independent evidence of innocence therefore the bail is not granted and bail is refused."
The 28-year-old, who went missing in April, was the daughter of former EFF secretary-general turned attorney Godrich Gardee murder.
Her body was found dumped in the bushes outside Mbombela in Mpumalanga in May.
The case has been postponed to 22 August for indictment.
Sipho Mkhatshwa bail application has been denied bail in the Nelspruit Magistrate Court.
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) August 3, 2022
While we welcome the decision, we are sensitive to the fact that 100s if not 1000s of GBVF accused have been released on R500 bail. #HillaryGardee pic.twitter.com/9TzhVNKVAv
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