Gardee’s daughter found murdered
THE daughter of former EFF secretary-general and lawyer Godrich Gardee was yesterday found murdered after she went missing last week.
She was found outside Nelspruit in Mpumalanga after last being seen on Friday at a supermarket in Mbombela.
She had been at the supermarket with a 3-year-old who was found walking in town later on Friday.
After she was reported missing, a R100 000 reward for information had been offered for the safe return of the 28-year-old.
Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said the police in Mbombela were called and informed by some members of the community who were on their way to work about the body of a woman. He said she had some wounds on her head.
“Upon their arrival, they found the body of a lady, and she has now been identified by her family as Hillary Gardee, who was reported missing. She was still wearing the clothes that she was wearing during her disappearance, and she had some wounds on her head. The police are investigating a murder case,” Mdhluli said.
EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said Gardee’s killing was part of the broader problem of gender-based violence in South Africa.
“We need to intensify our fight against the scourge. But we thank South Africans for standing together and rallying behind the former SG
“Let us stand together in showing that people who are kidnapped, abducted and murdered are treated in the same way in terms of public sympathy, and ensuring that they are found,” said Tambo.
“There must be a stronger effort in ensuring that those who are involved in gender-based violence are brought to book. We must build a sympathetic law enforcement agency that is going to be understanding of the situation of gender-based violence, and respond accordingly.”
In a statement yesterday, the EFF said the news had left the party and family distraught.
Members of political parties sent their condolences to Gardee’s family on social media.