The trial of Hlabirwa Rassie Nkuna, who is accused of murdering Hillary Gardee, the daughter of EFF deputy president Godrich Gardee, has been postponed to Tuesday for Nkuna to finalise consultation with his lawyer.
Nkuna, who appeared in the Mbombela high court in Mpumalanga, is facing 12 charges, including murder and abduction.
Hillary and her adopted three-year-old daughter went missing on April 29 2022 at Nelspruit Plaza. Her daughter was later dumped in KaMagugu, where they stayed, while Hillary’s lifeless body was found by timber plantation workers about 60km outside Mbombela several days later.
Judge Lindiwe Vukeya heard an application on Monday from Nkuna’s lawyer, Malisela Kekana, for a postponement.
“We won’t be able to continue with the trial today and are asking the court to give us a postponement so that we can finalise consultation with our client. We managed to consult on seven charges of the twelve the state alleges,” he said.
Vukeya granted the postponement and instructed that the consultation be done promptly, as the trial is set to last six weeks.
“I’m sceptical about the application, but in the interest of justice and hearing both sides of the story, I will grant the application. You are expected to be done when we come here tomorrow so that we can continue with the case.
“The court has been allocated six weeks to finalise this matter and to have it concluded by the last day,” Vuyeka said.
The court has been allocated six weeks to finalise this matter and to have it concluded by the last day
— Judge Lindiwe Vukeya
Nkuna is serving two life sentences for the murders of his girlfriend, Pretty Mazibuko, and her sister, Marcia, a police officer.
Nkuna was arrested on August 11 2022 and the state at the time said he had confessed to meeting Hillary on Facebook.
Sowetan
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