Murder accused Lukhele found with phone in jail
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M– PUDEMO Member Philemon Lukhele was moved to the maximum section of the Barberton Correctional Centre after he was allegedly found with a cellular phone inside correctional facility.
Lukhele was arrested together with Sipho Mkhatshwa and Mduduzi Nkala for the murder of Hillary Gardee, who is daughter of Economic Freedom Fighters’ member Godrich Gardee. He is an exiled liSwati who is a member of the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO).
The Department of Correctional Services said Lukhele was found in possession of a mobile phone on Tuesday, May 24 while he was still a remand detainee, awaiting trial at the Nelspruit
Correctional Centre.
Mobile phones are classified as contraband inside correctional facilities. “An investigation is currently underway as it is critical to ascertain the circumstances under which this mobile phone was smuggled and the people involved. A criminal case has also been registered with the South African Police Service (CAS 420/05/2022).”
It had not been clear yesterday if additional charges had already been drawn against Lukhele. Neither did the institution say how Lukhele got to have a phone inside the correctional facility. “For the country to have safe and secure correctional centres, we expect nothing but strict adherence to safety standards, from all those who interface with the Department of Correctional Services. Hence, visitors, inmates, officials and private citizens caught contravening our regulations shall be dealt with through the criminal justice system,” the correctional services said.
PUDEMO Secretary General Wandile Dludlu asked not to comment on the issue. “I have also heard about it, but our position is not to comment on the case of Lukhele until he has had his trial where the truth shall come out,” he said.
The trio have been charged with conspiracy for murder, kidnapping, rape, murder, possession of firearm and defeating the ends of justice. Lukhele who is 39 years old was recently stripped of his ANC membership in Mpumalanga. He had been working for the ANC in the province for over 15 years. Lukhele is popularly known as Mhlabundzima in the political space.