After a six-month process, one of Hillary Gardee’s murder accused – Philemon Lukhele (47) – has been granted bail.

Hillary, who was the daughter of former EFF secretary-general Godrich Gardee, was last seen alive at Spar Plaza in Mbombela on April 29.

Her body was found a week later in a timber plantation on the road between Lydenburg and Sabie.

Also read: Hillary Gardee found dead near Sabie/Lydenburg Road

Earlier today, Lukhele was granted R20 000 bail by the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court – with strict conditions.

He, alongside Sipho Mkhatshwa (29) and Albert Gama (52), was arrested last year. A fourth suspect, Rassie Nkuna (36), was nabbed later on.

Nkuna, who confessed to killing Gardee, is also facing other murder charges, including killing a police officer and her sister on May 15, 2022.

Hillary’s murder caused outrage, especially among EFF members. EFF leader Julius Malema vowed to ‘teach her killer a lesson he will never forget’, prior to the arrests.

The trial is set for April.