One of the four accused in Hilary Gardy’s murder, Philemon Lukele, is expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Wednesday for a continuation of his bail application.
Lukhele’s bid to get bail on the new charges began last week.
Lukele, his co-accused Sipho Mhatshwa and Albert Gama were arrested days after Gardi’s lifeless body was found in a forest plantation a few kilometers from Mbambole in May.
They face six charges including kidnapping, rape, murder, perverting justice and conspiracy to commit murder.
Meanwhile, a fourth suspect, Rasi Nkuna, was arrested in August.
All suspects are in custody.
History of Luchel
While out on bail last month, Lesego Kwakwa’s lawyer cross-examined him. He told the court that he had been in the country for about 24 years, from Eswatini, his country of birth.
He came to South Africa as an asylum seeker and was granted permanent residence and is now in the process of naturalization.
He also spoke about his current situation after his arrest, saying that he is defaulting on the payments on his three houses. The court was also informed that he no longer has a stable income, as he is suspended from work.
According to Kwakwa, two of the accused, Lukhele and Mhatshwa, have decided to re-apply for bail based on new facts.
