EFF leader Julius Malema says the party believes that Hillary Gardee was killed for a ritual judging by the manner her body was badly injured.
Gardee, 28, is a daughter of former EFF Secretary General Godrich Gardee. She was kidnapped and murdered and her body dumped in a field just outside Nelspruit, Mpumalanga three weeks ago.
On 29 April she was reported missing.
On Monday Malema during a media briefing following the party’s Central Command Team meeting on the 14th and 15th of May 2022.announced to the media that a fourth suspect had been arrested in connection with the murder of Gardee.
So far three suspect who are ANC connected, namely Philemon Lukhele, Sipho Mkhatshwa and Mduduzi Nkala are facing charges of kidnapping, rape, possession of an illegal firearm, defeating the ends of justice and murder. They will appear again in the Nelspruit Magistrates Court on 9 June 2022.
“We are involved in the investigation, we have employed private investigators. Majority of the people who were arrested were arrested through their intervention, the latest being somewhere in Witbank, Mpumalanga. It was us who said to the police that there is a person who was looking for an account at FNB bank so that they can transfer R500 000 into that account, so that he can cash it,” Malema said.
Last week The Star reported that a sangoma alerted police about one of the suspects who wanted cleansing after they had allegedly killed someone.
“It looked like something that had to do with a ritual and therefore I will not be personally shocked when there is muthi involved because the way they were stabbing her body and breasts, it was now beyond the issues of just murder and rape, it had to do with something that people are obsessed with and we are hoping to get the truth and the only thing that will satisfy us is if these people are all arrested.
“The only missing puzzle is how she was abducted/captured. We show that when she arrived at the lodge, what happened and all but from the shops how she was captured is still a mystery and we are on top of it. The police are doing everything in their power, they are working with us to make sure we bring this matter to finality,” Malema said.
Malema applauded police how they solved the murder of Tshegofatso Pule, saying it was quick and justice was found while the matter was still fresh.
“We don't want justice delayed, they must be arrested now and the sooner we arrest everyone involved and we start a trial. the better,” he said.
Malema said the Gardee family is still grieving, shocked and they are in a difficult situation. “The father cries every morning to find answers and we hope we will find the answers very soon,” Malema said.
EFF called on men to stop killing and harassing women and children, saying the levels
and extent of Gender Based Violence and violence in South Africa is unacceptable.