EFF Heartbroken As Hillary Gardee Is Found Dead
Hillary Gardee, 28, the daughter of former EFF secretary-general and attorney Godrich Gardee, who went missing four days ago, has been found dead.
On behalf of the Gardee family, EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo told SurgeZirc SA that her body was discovered on Tuesday morning about 60 kilometres from where she went missing in Mbombela on Friday.
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“Information is still coming in so we don’t know for sure what happened, but it looks at this stage as though she was abducted and murdered.
“The family is obviously devastated and they are asking for patience at this time. We would like to convey to everyone our thanks and gratitude for the help, support and love people have been showing,” Tambo said.
“This heartbreaking news has left the Gardee family distraught and the collective leadership of the EFF at a loss for words,” the party said.
“Her loss has left immeasurable devastation, as he [Godrich Gardee] grapples with the pain of losing a child in such a callous, cruel and inhumane manner.”
Hillary Indira Gardee, the attorney’s oldest daughter, was born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1994. She was described as a person who was enthusiastic, kind, and loving, and who had a strong interest in information technology (IT). She was a part-time student at the University of South Australia studying IT while running her own IT business.
“Her kindness and generosity was most evident in her commitment to adopt and care for a three-year old child who, by the grace of God, was spared on the day of Hillary’s abduction. She looked after the child as if she were her own, an inspiring act for a woman of such a young age,” said the EFF.
“We send our deepest condolences and sympathies to commissar Gardee, the Gardee family and those who were close to Hillary. We mourn with the Gardee family, and will provide a helping hand to ensure her memory is preserved and she goes to her final resting place with dignity.
“May this chapter, which has ended in such an unfortunate manner, be instructive to all of us on the scourge of gender-based violence and the need to fight against the war on the women of this country.”
