Daughter Of South African Politician Found Dead; Body Dumped

Hillary Indira Gardee, a 28-year-old postgraduate student who went missing four days ago, has been discovered dead in South Africa.

On Friday, April 29, 2022, Hillary Gardee, the daughter of Godrich Gardee, a South African politician and former Secretary-General of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), went missing.

The deceased, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1994, was last seen shopping in a Mbombela marketplace (Nelspruit). She was dressed in a black blouse and black pants, and she was holding a shopping bag and a laptop bag.

The victim was with a three-year-old girl when they both vanished, according to police.

Fortunately, the infant was rescued, but Gardee was still missing. Her relatives reported her disappearance on Saturday.

Her corpse was discovered on Tuesday morning, May 3, some 60 kilometers from where she vanished in Mbombela, according to EFF spokesperson Sinawo Tambo, who confirmed the tragic incident on behalf of the Gardee family.

He said, “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.

“This heartbreaking news has left the Gardee family distraught and the collective leadership of the EFF at a loss for words.

“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,” Tambo said.

Col Donald Mdhluli, a spokesperson for Mpumalanga police, said officers were dispatched to the site where Gardee’s body was found by a group of individuals.

Mdhluli said, “They were on their way to work when they came across the body of a lady. She has now been identified by her family as Hillary Gardee. She was still wearing the same clothes she was in when she went missing.

“There were some wounds on her head and police are now investigating a murder case. Anyone with information that may assist police in the investigation may be people who know who the killer is — can call the Crime Stop number at 08600-10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MySaps app. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.”

According to the Economic Freedom Fighters, Hillary Indira Gardee was an enthusiastic, kind, and loving person. She was a part-time student at the University of South Africa studying IT while managing her own 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,” the EFF said.

“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.”