An application for documentation by Godrich Gardee, the father of the murdered Hillary, hit a snag in the high court today, September 6.

Gardee’s daughter’s body was found in a plantation between Sabie and Lydenburg on May 3, 2022. The suspect, Hlabirwa Rassie Nkuna, was out on parole at the time of the murder. Nkuna is currently serving two life sentences for murders he had committed after Hillary’s death.

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Gardee submitted an application to compel the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to supply him with among others the parole management report, which was drawn up when Nkuna was granted parole in 2019. At the time, he was serving a sentence for armed robbery.

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Gardee insists he needs the documents to prepare his civil claim for damages against the DCS for, among others, negligence.

Today’s case was on the unopposed court roll before Judge Vincent Ratshibvumo. When it started, Adv Twain Ngwenya announced that he would be representing the DCS. Gardee’s legal representative, Adv Muntu Sithole, objected and argued that they were ready to proceed with the application as it was unopposed.

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Ratshibvumo, however, ruled that the case would be removed from the unopposed roll to the opposed roll. The legal teams have five days to submit application forms to the Master of the High Court.

Gardee did not want to comment on the matter. He referred Lowvelder to his attorney, Makhakhene Mashele. Mashele said the Gardee family are considering all their options.