Hillary was a respectful child, says aunt as family breaks silence

The family of the late Hillary Gardee, who was found dead this week, said they were relieved when she did not turn wayward when her mother died three years ago.

Hillary, 28, who was the daughter of former secretary-general of the EFF Godrich Gardee, had been raising a three-year-old girl her late mother had adopted when she was found dead in the bush outside Mbombela, Mpumalanga, this week, the family revealed on Thursday.

The family broke its silence for the first time on Thursday when former president Kgalema Motlanthe paid them a visit in their home in KaMaGugu. Hillary's aunt, Sharifa, said the family was still devastated at their loss more so since Hillary had been a good child to raise despite losing her own mother about three years ago.

“She was a respectful child, who stayed with her brother and the daughter in this house. She didn't go to taverns or nightclubs like her peers. She loved her church and didn't even have a boyfriend,” said Sharifa.

“We thought after the death of her mother she would go astray or misbehave like some children do when they lose someone close to them. But Hillary was different. She was always focused on her life, school and business. We are shattered. My brother's child was such an angel which was taken away from us in an ugly manner,” said Sharifa.

According to her, Hillary took custody of the girl soon after her mother died and she stayed with her brother in KaMaGugu. 

Hillary was abducted while shopping with the girl last Friday. Her abductee dropped the child close to her home before taking off. Hillary's body was discovered on Tuesday this with a bullet to her head and her bank account was also looted by the perpetrators. The incident has since shocked the country. 

Sharifa said the child was found by neighbours about a kilometre from where they lived. 

“She [girl] was seen standing in the streets by people who were passing. She told them that 'mommy was fighting but she said she's coming back'. As it was as late, Hillary's brother had already called her father [Godrich] telling him that Hilary didn't come back. The child hinted that something was off and my brother [Godrich] went to report it to the police and also went to the shop she was last seen to inquired about the CCTV footage. The footages proved that Hillary was in the shop but after leaving the plaza she was nowhere to be found,” said Sharifa. 

Motlanthe said Hillary's murder has shone the spotlight on syndicates who kidnap people for their money.

Family spokesperson Sinawo Tambo said Hillary will be held at the Church in the Hill in KaMaGugu on Saturday.