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Hillary Gardee, the daughter of the EFF’s former secretary-general Godrich Gardee, has been found dead.
Hillary, who had been missing since Friday, was last seen shopping at Nelspruit Plaza Super Spar with her three-year-old adopted child, who was later found abandoned on the same day.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the EFF confirmed her death.
“The body of Hillary Gardee was found abandoned outside of Nelspruit in Mpumalanga after she had gone missing on April 29.
“The heartbreaking news has left the Gardee family distraught and the collective leadership of the EFF at a loss for words.”
The 28-year-old was the firstborn daughter of Gardee and was studying IT part-time at Unisa while running an IT business.
The EFF described Hillary as kind and loving. It said that her kindness and generosity was clear for all to see when she adopted her three-year-old child.
The EFF sends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Commissar Gardee, the Gardee family on the passing of their daughter Hillary Gardee. We mourn with the Gardee family during this difficult time.
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 3, 2022
May the soul of Hillary Gardee rest in perfect, peaceful and eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/r8BNI1yXS2
“She looked after the child as if she were her own, an inspiring act for a woman of such a young age.”
Earlier on Tuesday, EFF president Julius Malema tweeted the missing poster of Hillary and wrote:
Condolences are pouring in for Gardee, with people taking to social media to offer words of encouragement to him.
Former Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina tweeted:
Eastern Cape ANC provincial treasurer candidate Andile Lungisa also tweeted: “Gardee Godrich, my comrade, your pain is our pain, please stay strong. This is a difficult moment ever in your family.”
DA’s chief whip Siviwe Gwarube also took to Twitter:
Hillary’s death has once again shone the spotlight on femicide in South Africa.
Releasing crime statistics earlier this year, Police Minister Bheki Cele said gender-based violence and femicide were a priority for the police. He mentioned that there were 381 gender-based violence desks at 381 police stations across the country.
“May this chapter, which has ended in such an unfortunate manner, be instructive to all of us on the scourge of gender-based violence and the need to fight against the war on the women of this country,” said the EFF in the statement.
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