Van Dyk Park murders: State says Rabe and Pillay were forced to consume ‘two-step’ for alerting neighbour to deadly plot against her

Van Dyk Park residents joined the family of Jessica Rabe (20) outside the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on October 5, holding placards reading “No bail” and “Justice must be served”, as Haroon Rashid Adam (27) applied for bail in connection with the deaths of Rabe and Yudistan Pillay (25).

Adam and Hendrick Swart (27) both face charges of murder, kidnapping, defeating or obstructing the course of justice and assault.

Swart abandoned his bail application.

Adam claims more suspects will be arrested

Attorney Ebrahim Omar, representing Adam, read a supplementary affidavit prepared by his client in support of the bail application.

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In the affidavit, Adam told the court he had no previous convictions and remained responsible for the upbringing of his minor child.

He said his child had been placed in the temporary care of his mother following his arrest. He argued that his continued detention could have a negative emotional and psychological impact on the child.

Adam also disputed signing a document authorising another person to take custody of his child.

He told the court that, if granted bail, he was prepared to comply with conditions, including remaining in restricted areas where his family is based, if required.

Adam further alleged other suspects are yet to be arrested as investigations continue.

He asked the court to release him on bail subject to conditions.

Detective gives state’s version

State prosecutor Sipho Kutuana then called Sergeant Moemedi Selele, a detective attached to the Dawn Park SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit.

He outlined the State’s version of events leading to the deaths of Rabe and Pillay.

According to Selele, a man named Lucky led Adam and Swart to where the pair were living in an informal settlement.

Pillay asked Lucky why he would do that because he believed Adam and Swart were going to kill them.

The pair were then forced into a vehicle and taken to Van Dyk Park, where they were forced to consume rat poison, also known as ‘two-step’.

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They were then taken to an area near the Gosforth Toll Plaza on the N17.

When the ‘two-step’ did not have the intended effect, Rabe and Pillay were taken back to the Wildevy Crescent property in Van Dyk Park.

Rabe began vomiting and foaming at the mouth while Pillay was allegedly strangled to death.

The detective further testified the bodies were wrapped and buried beneath the house, with concrete and plants placed over the area to conceal what was beneath.

Hit planned on neighbour

In further testimony, Selele spoke about a man alleged to have driven Adam and Swart to the informal settlement, and a woman who was Adam’s neighbour in Van Dyk Park.

The neighbour was involved in a divorce and the alleged motive for the murders of Rabe and Pillay was that they told her about a ‘hit’ on her that was being planned by Adam and accomplices, allegedly his girlfriend and Swart.

After Rabe and Pillay learned of the planned attack and informed the neighbour, she obtained a protection order against Adam.

According to the State, Rabe and Pillay’s deaths were linked to the fact that they knew about and revealed information concerning the planned attack on the neighbour.

The matter will return to the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on October 8.

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Bodies found

Rabe and Pillay were reported missing at Dawn Park SAPS on July 27 after their families became increasingly concerned when they could no longer reach them.

Their disappearance sparked a community search across Van Dyk Park and surrounding areas, with relatives, community safety groups and residents assisting with the search.

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

Information received during the investigation eventually led police to the Wildevy Crescent property.

SAPS Search and Rescue members and forensic investigators were deployed to the property.

On August 30, the bodies of Rabe and Pillay were found partially buried beneath the house.

The detective also testified about the events leading to the arrest of Swart and Adam.

The court heard that information obtained during the investigation led police to Swart, who was arrested.

When Adam was subsequently taken into custody, he indicated he wanted to confess.