Van Dyk Park murders: One accused to apply for bail tomorrow

The family of Jessica Rabe is calling for justice after two men appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on September 18 in connection with the deaths of Rabe (20) and Yudistan Pillay (25).

Haroon Rashid Adam (27) and Hendrick Swart (27) appeared in court following the discovery of the pair’s bodies at a property in Wildevy Crescent, Van Dyk Park, on August 30.

Both accused remain in custody and will not be released on bail before the next court proceedings.
A formal bail application for accused number one, Adam, is expected to be heard tomorrow (September 22).

Rabe’s grandmother, who did not want to be named, said the family was left trying to come to terms with the loss.

“We want justice. We know we all have to lose a loved one, but not in this manner.”

She said the family had hoped members of the community would attend the court proceedings to support them, but believed some may not have been aware of the court dates.

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Rabe and Pillay were reported missing at Dawn Park Police Station on July 27, prompting an extensive search involving family members, community groups and investigators.

According to Wendy Pascoe, of Pascoe Investigations and Missing in Southern Africa, who assisted the families, the pair had not been seen or heard from after Rabe was allegedly assaulted and had her cellphone stolen.

Missing-person posters were circulated through the Van Dyk Park Community Patrollers Initiative, Boksburg 911 and various community WhatsApp groups.

Information received during the investigation indicated that Rabe and Pillay had been moving between Van Dyk Park and Farrar Park on foot, staying temporarily at different properties.

On August 28, information about their possible whereabouts was handed to the police, leading to a search and recovery operation at a Wildevy Crescent property.

SAPS Search and Rescue members and the Forensic Pathology Unit were deployed to the property.

Shortly after 18:00 on August 30, the bodies of both victims were recovered after being found partially buried beneath the house.

The victims were positively identified by their next of kin, while their cause of death has yet to be established.

Investigations are continuing and further arrests are expected.

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