Man nabbed for Hillary Gardee’s murder

NEWS

A 39-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the murder of Hillary Gardee, the daughter of former EFF secretary-general Godrich Gardee.

Police in Mpumalanga say they are 100% certain they nabbed the right suspect.

Speaking outside the Gardee residence on Friday night, Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Semakaleng Daphney Manamela confirmed the suspect had been arrested on Friday morning in Schoemansdal. 

Manamela, while adamant that the police had the right man, said the police were hopeful that more arrests would be made.

She said: “We are cracking this case, we are doing what is right and we are going to be getting information to ensure that if possible, more arrests will be effected.”

Gardee (28) went missing on April 29 and her body was found outside Mbombela the following day.

She was last seen shopping at Nelspruit Plaza Super Spar with her three-year-old adopted daughter, who was later found abandoned on the same day.

READ: Body of EFF’s former secretary Godrich Gardee’s daughter found

The police said she was found with wounds to her head, but the family announced late on Wednesday that Hillary was shot execution style.

Family spokesperson Sinawo Thambo, said while the police had been criticised, it was important to commend the women and men in blue when they get things right.

On Tuesday night Police Minister Bheki Cele activated a 72-hour action plan, giving the police a deadline to find the perpetrators by Friday evening.

READ: Police confident they will find Hillary Gardee’s killers within 72 hours

Thambo added: “We appreciate that they [SA Police Service] did not come here to gossip with us. They came here after verifying and thoroughly engaging with the merits of why they would arrest that individual. So, we appreciate the effort."

Manamela said the suspect’s identity would not be revealed as he had to “appear in court first”.

Gardee’s funeral was scheduled for Saturday.

Palesa Dlamini  Journalist +27 11 713 9001 palesa.dlamini@citypress.co.za www.citypress.co.za 69 Kingsway Rd, Auckland Park