MBOMBELA – The police arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of Hillary Gardee on Friday morning.
According to police provincial commissioner, Lt. General Semakaleng Manamela, they arrested the suspect in Schoemansdal from his hiding place. During a briefing outside former Economic Freedom Fighters secretary general Godrich Gardee’s home, she said they were certain they had the right suspect.
READ | #RIPHillaryGardee | Post-mortem reveals she was shot
WATCH: Provincial commissioner updates the media on the arrest
[HAPPENING NOW]: Lt- General Semakaleng Manamela says the Gardee family is in pain but the police also had to do the work before visiting the family. #RIPHillaryGardee pic.twitter.com/iqfIgdNWRH
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 6, 2022
[HAPPENING NOW]: Lt- General Semakaleng Manamela they are sure about their arrest and were quiet because they were busy with verification. #RIPHillaryGardee pic.twitter.com/v2pRKYbpff
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 6, 2022
[BREAKING NEWS]: Lt- General Semakaleng Manamela giving an update on the breakthrough made on the murder of Hillary Gardee. #RIPHillaryGardee pic.twitter.com/jzYRc1cX7G
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 6, 2022
The arrest came within the 72-hour activation plan activated by police minister, Bheki Cele on Tuesday after the 28-year-old’s body was found at a timber plantation outside Mbombela.
READ MORE | “Find Hillary Gardee’s killers before we find them” – Julius Malema
Family spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said they welcome the arrest and the police meeting their own target. “We must commend the police for informing us with something concrete within the 72 hours. The same way we criticise, we must be able to commend and compliment them for the hard work they have been doing,” he said.
The suspect is facing a murder charge while investigations continue and will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 9.
