Own family has protection order for Gardee accused
Mkhatshwa raised by ANC veteran
Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa’s adopted son Sipho, who has been arrested for the murder of Hillary Gardee, has a history of violent behaviour.
The daughter of former EFF secretary-general Godrich Gardee was abducted two weeks ago from a plaza in Mbombela. Her body was found four days later, 60km outside Mbombela. She was stabbed and shot in the head.
The Mkhatshwa family revealed in a statement yesterday that they had taken out a protection order against him.
The revelation came as Sipho, 39, and two other accused – Phillimon Lukhele, 49, and Albert Gama, 52 – appeared in the Nelspruit magistrate’s court.
“The Mkhatshwa family is shocked by the arrest of Sipho Mkhatshwa, relating to the gruesome murder of Hillary Gardee, the daughter of Mr Godrich Gardee. The South African Police Service contacted the family on a separate matter involving Sipho.
“The police then informed the family about the arrest. Sipho Mkhatshwa was adopted by Ms Victoria Mkhatshwa, who is unfortunately late. The family raised Sipho and contributed to his education. Prior to the arrest, Sipho was also served with a protection order at the request of the family, for his violent behaviour towards occupants of the family residence, including damage to property,” the family said.
Smangaliso Mkhatshwa is a former mayor of Tshwane and Struggle veteran who has served in different positions within the ANC and government between 1994 and 2000, including being the deputy minister of education.
“At the time of his arrest, Sipho Mkhatshwa was staying in Schoemansdal, a separate township from Driekopies. The Mkhatshwa family has confidence in the law enforcement agencies and the legal procedures of the country,” the statement continued.
The 28-year-old’s body was found by timber farm workers on Tuesday along a road outside Mbombela.
She had gone missing on Friday last week after her abduction outside a shopping plaza while she was with her three-year-old adopted daughplace,” ter. Her killers later dropped the child off close to where Gardee lived in KaMagugu.
The family extended sincere condolences to the Gardees.
State prosecutor Adv Ntsika Mpolweni told the court that the three are facing six charges – murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping, rape, possession of firearm and ammunitions, and defeating the ends of justice.
“Looking at the nature of the crime, this is a schedule six offence. Through the accused’s lawyer I was informed this morning that the accused are abandoning their bail application. The state therefore is asking for the court to postpone the matter to June 9, to allow further police investigation.
“There are DNA results pending, ballistic tests and also footages and analysis of the CBD where the crime took said Mpolweni.
Adv Sifiso Silindza, representing Mkhatshwa, and Ncobizitha Mlilo for Lukhele, told the court that their clients were seeking medical attention after alleged torture while in custody.
“My client will also ask the court to allow him to get medical attention because he was tortured. My client also seeks to inform this court that he is sending his condolences to the Gardee family, especially Godrich Gardee, whom he has known for years,” said Mlilo.
His message triggered those in the gallery to shout: “We don’t need your condolences!”
Magistrate Thulethu Tonjeni postponed the case to June 9 for more investigation.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Col Donald Mdlhuli said they were looking for more suspects.