Beyond the red overalls, EFF deputy president Godrich Gardee is also a father who has tragically lost a daughter to a violent murder incident.
Nearly three years after Hillary Gardee’s brutal killing, her father has penned a scathing letter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the SA Police Service (SAPS), accusing them of a “deafening silence” and possible “cover-up complicity” in the stalled investigation.
On Tuesday, Gardee took to social media to lament the lack of response to his 12-page letter to the authorities, which he wrote 26 days ago.
In the April 3 letter, Gardee detailed a labyrinth of delays, withdrawn charges, and unanswered complaints, alleging systemic failures that had left Hillary’s case unresolved.
Investigation marred by negligence
“The evidence and information thus far gathered … appear to point to the possible cover-up complicity of law enforcement agencies in the events surrounding and connected with her death,” he wrote.
Hillary (28) was abducted, robbed, raped, and murdered in April 2022. Her case gained national attention, but Gardee claimed the investigation had been marred by negligence.
Key suspects remained unprosecuted for Hillary’s killing, including Rassie Nkune — a self-confessed murderer linked to her death.
Nkune, already serving a life sentence for other murders, was accused of using a policeman to lure Hillary under false pretences.
Gardee’s letter revealed repeated attempts to hold authorities accountable. A complaint filed in March 2023 by the family’s attorneys was met with bureaucratic inertia.
“There have been numerous visits every month … to the office of DPP in Mpumalanga province, and at all material times, there has never been a decision or an action with regard to the complaint — a deafening silence,” he stated.
Legal repercussions
Central to Gardee’s allegations was the NPA’s refusal to prosecute a Nigerian national who allegedly bought Hillary’s stolen laptop and cellphone from Nkune.
Despite the buyer’s arrest on two occasions, Gardee claimed the NPA declined to pursue charges.
“It is accordingly unfortunate that, in the circumstances, the conclusion may be inescapable that the failure of the NPA to pursue charges against the buyer of the gadgets and the murderer of the deceased may be viewed as a cover-up for such possible complicity and the SAPS bungling of the investigations in the matter,” he wrote.
Gardee suggested the NPA and SAPS feared legal repercussions. Three initially arrested suspects — later exonerated — were now suing the state for R16-million.
“The question that arises is whether there is fear … that reinstating charges against Nkune will help sustain the multimillion-rand claim against the NPA and SAPS,” he argued.
The letter painted a grim picture of systemic failure. Nkune, described as a “murder spree” parolee, was released under questionable circumstances.
Threat of legal action
A 500-page report allegedly detailed negligent parole processes and included Nkune’s sworn affidavit linking him to Hillary’s murder. Yet, authorities had not acted.
“The bungling of investigations by the SAPS … has led to the failure to prosecute the murder of Hillary Gardee to finality,” Gardee wrote.
“This is a serious injustice that must not be allowed to continue.”
Gardee had demanded the case be referred to the NPA’s investigative directorate within 20 days. Failing this, he threatened legal action.
“I will have no option but to approach the competent court for appropriate relief,” he warned.
The NPA and SAPS had not publicly responded to the allegations. This story will be updated with responses from the NPA and SAPS.
