THE trial of the four men who are charged with the murder of Luke Edwards, a former patient at the Tetelestai Recovery Centre (TRC) in Winklespruit, has been postponed to January 15, 2026, pending a decision by the director of public prosecutions to refer it to the High Court.

This follows their appearance in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on December 2.

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Jean Pierre Van Niekerk, Banele Nsele, Lloyd Ramsbottom, and Brandon Dlamini, who were also admitted to TRC and acted as monitors, are suspected of killing Edwards, 32, on April 9. His body was found partially clothed at a nearby old-age home’s yard. He had been last seen alive at the gate of the same old age home at 01:30 on April 8, speaking with a security guard. A few hours later, he was dead with extensive injuries on his body. The four were arrested a few months later and released on bail while the case continues.

Following the developments at TRC, the provincial Department of Social Development handed the facility a notice to cancel its registration on October 1. TRC remains inoperational as a recovery centre for addiction.

Brad Nathanson, a private investigator who was hired by the Edwards family to probe their son’s murder, thanked every person who came forward to have the TRC closed.

“There are others [that] we cannot mention who have quietly assisted from the wings. Thank you from the Edwards family,” said Nathanson.