One of the murder accused in Hillary Gardee’s murder case, Sipho Mkhatshwa, formally applied for bail on Thursday June 2 in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.

During his bail application Mkhatshwa told this court that he was never in Nelspruit on May 29, the day when Gardee was reported missing.

Mkhatshwa told court that he was preparing for a lobola ceremony on the day in question and was only surprised when he was linked to this case.

He also told the court he suffered heavy beatings and torture at the hands of the police and the so-called ‘confession’ he had signed was a result of trauma and the assaults he had suffered.

Even though he denied ever being in Nelspruit or around Mbombela on the day Gardee went missing, the state hinted that there was evidence placing Mkhatshwa in Nelspruit on the day in question.

The case continues on Friday June 3. The investigation officer is expected to take the witness stand and lead evidence.

Mkhatshwa and two other accused , Philemon Lukhele and Albert Gama, were arrested following the kidnapping and killing of Gardee.

On their first appearance the trio abandoned their bail application but Mkhatshwa later made a U-turn and approached for bail.