The bail application of Haroon Rashid Adam continued in Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on October 7 but was not finalised and will continue on October 13. The state is opposing his release on bail, reports Boksburg Advertiser.

Adam and co-accused Hendrik Swart, both 27 years old, face charges including murder, kidnapping, assault and defeating or obstructing the ends of justice in connection with the murders of Jessica Rabe (20) and Yudistan Pillay (25).

Their bodies were found at 25 Wildevy Crescent in Van Dyk Park on August 30 after they were reported missing to Dawn Park SAPS on July 27.

Couple’s final journey

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Moemedi Selele, continued his testimony under questioning by state prosecutor Sipho Kutuwana as part of Adam’s bail application.

Below is the version of events leading up to the murder of the couple as presented by Selele.

• Swart made admissions implicating Adam after telling investigators he was struggling to sleep at night because of what had happened.

• Rabe and Pillay were fetched from Holomisa informal settlement where they were living by people in a white Renault Kwid. Pillay was put in the boot while Rabe was pepper-sprayed and made to sit in the back seat between Adam’s girlfriend and the vehicle owner’s wife.

• The couple was assaulted with open hands during the ordeal, with the violence continuing after they were taken to 25 Wildevy Crescent. Here, they were assaulted with fists and given rat poison (‘two-step’) and Coke with the intention of killing them.

• An associate linked to Adam had supplied the poison but investigators could not establish the exact quantity each victim consumed. The poison did not kill the couple immediately.

• Rabe and Pillay were then taken to an open area next to the N17 highway near the Gosforth Toll Plaza, where they were told to walk. The distance between the area next to the N17 and the property at 25 Wildevy Crescent was estimated to be about 4km to 5km.

• After realising the poison was not working the pair were taken back to the property in Van Dyk Park.

• When Adam woke up at some stage Rabe was foaming at the mouth and Swart was suffocating Pillay.

• The disposal of the bodies and the planting of trees on the grave indicated an intent to conceal what had happened.

• Police are awaiting the post-mortem and toxicology results for both victims, which are expected to provide further information about the cause of death and the substance involved.

Concerns for witnesses

During questioning, Kutuwana asked Selele whether Adam could interfere with witnesses or compromise the investigation if released.

Selele said Adam’s proximity to some witnesses could make it easier for him to approach or intimidate them.

He further told the court that the investigation was not complete, with outstanding suspects and other aspects still requiring attention.

Selele said releasing Adam could make it more difficult to complete the outstanding investigative work and that there is speculation Adam wants to kill Swart and a member of the Van Dyk Park Community Patrollers Initiative.

Pending cases

The court heard that Adam faces an attempted murder case in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court and has a pending matter involving possession of an unlicensed firearm in the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court.

Selele testified that Adam is known to have only one asset – a non-running bakkie on the property where he had been staying.

Custody of child

The court also heard evidence about Adam’s child and the arrangements for the child’s care.

Selele testified that the child had already been due to be placed in the custody of another person before Adam’s arrest.

Social workers were with the custodial parents on the day Adam was arrested. That day, the child was placed at Adam’s mother’s house.

The detective’s testimony raised questions about Adam and his girlfriend’s ability to care for the child even before his arrest, given that arrangements for alternative care were already being made.

Community left distressed

Selele told the court that the deaths had caused shock and distress in the communities where Rabe and Pillay lived.

He said community members had organised petitions and demonstrations calling for Adam to remain behind bars.

The detective acknowledged that he could not predict what would happen if Adam were released, but said the case had heightened tensions in the community.

The state maintains that Adam’s release could endanger witnesses and the ongoing investigation.

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