Hillary Gardee murder suspect caught with phone in prison

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has launched has an investigation after one of the suspects connected to Hillary Gardee’s murder was found with a phone in prison.

The suspect, Philemon Lukhele, has been detained at the Nelspruit Correctional Centre in Mpumalanga and was caught in possession of the phone on Tuesday.

Contraband

According to the department, phones are classified as contraband inside correctional facilities.

“An investigation is currently underway as it is critical to ascertain the circumstances under which this mobile phone was smuggled and the people involved.

“A criminal case has also been registered with the South African Police Service [Saps],” the department said in a statement.

Lukhele, who was recently stripped of his ANC membership, has since been transferred to the Barberton Correctional Centre, which is a maximum security facility.

“For the country to have safe and secure correctional centres, we expect nothing but strict adherence to safety standards from all those who interface with the Department of Correctional Services.

“Hence, visitors, inmates, officials and private citizens caught contravening our regulations shall be dealt with through the criminal justice system.”

Lukhele is facing charges of murder, rape, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnapping and possession of illegal firearms, alongside Sipho Lawrence Mkatshwa and Mduzuzi Gama.

The three suspects were arrested earlier this month in connection to Gardee’s murder.

They have already appeared at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court and will return on 9 June.

The accused in the Hillary Gardee case are Sipho Mkhatshwa, Philemon Lukhele and Mduduzi Nkala

They have been charged with Conspiracy for murder, kidnapping, rape, murder, possession of firearm and defeating the ends of justice

The state opposes bail#JusticeForHillaryGardee pic.twitter.com/gOgjFkdoSH

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 9, 2022

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