ONE of the four men accused of kidnapping and killing Hillary Gardee has been denied bail.
The Mbombela Magistrates Court denied Albert Mduduzi Gama bail on Friday, 16 September.
Magistrate Martin Morris said reasons stated by the applicant during his application did not prove to any exceptional circumstances.
“The court is of the belief that the state has a strong case against the accused. The applicant did not prove on a balance of probability that exceptional circumstances exist, which in the interest of justice permits his release,” Morris said.
He added that the applicant’s life was going to be in danger if the court granted him bail.
Morris continued that the house in which the applicant and accused number two were residing in was set alight after the arrest.
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Gama (52), Sipho Mkhatshwa (39), Philemon Lukhele (47) and Rassie Nkune (36) are facing charges of rape, murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition as well as defeating the ends of justice.
Gama, Mkhatshwa and Lukhele were arrested in May following the discovery of the lifeless body of Gardee (28), who was found dumped in a timber plantation outside Mbombela.
Nkune was arrested last month at his hiding place in Springs, Gauteng. It is alleged that Nkune, facing three other murder charges, confessed to that of Gardee.
The matter has been transferred to the Mbombela High Court for trial from 11 April to 12 May 2023.
