Gardee family sues SAPS for R19m, alleges police enabled Hillary’s kidnapping and murder

Mpumalanga – The family of murdered Hillary Gardee is suing the South African Police Service (SAPS) for R19 million, alleging police negligence and complicity contributed to her kidnapping and murder.

According to court papers, the vehicle used in the crime had previously been impounded after allegedly being stolen and linked to another violent offence but was unlawfully released by police, SABC News reported.

EFF Mpumalanga leader and Gardee family spokesperson Collen Sedibe said the lawsuit is intended to hold SAPS accountable rather than seek financial gain, arguing that the police’s alleged unlawful release of the vehicle enabled the crime.

[BREAKING] The Gardee family is suing the South African Police Service for R19 million over the pain and suffering caused by the death of their daughter, Hillary Gardee. The family claims a police vehicle was used in the commission of her kidnapping and murder. Tune in to #eNCA… pic.twitter.com/cPdUvelNm9

— eNCA (@eNCA) July 1, 2026

“It has now emerged four years later, that the accused Rassie Nkuna, was able to commit the crime of killing our daughter and other four people, because of SAPS officer complicity- and the South African Police enabled the crime, through corrupt release of the instrument of crime, which is the car or the vehicle, that was used to kidnap our daughter,” the report quoted Sedibe as saying.

The family contends that the Minister of Police is vicariously liable for the actions of officers accused of releasing the impounded vehicle.

Gardee Family Files R19 Million Lawsuit Against SAPS Over Daughter’s 2022 Murder, Alleging Police Vehicle Used in Crime

The family of Hillary Gardee has launched a R19 million civil lawsuit against the South African Police Service (SAPS), claiming damages for pain and suffering… pic.twitter.com/39XWP7vvhq

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) July 1, 2026

The civil action relates to the 2022 abduction and murder of Hillary Gardee, the daughter of former EFF secretary-general Godrich Gardee, who was kidnapped outside a shopping centre in Mbombela before her body was found days later.

The lawsuit also alleges police negligence, cover-ups and interference that delayed justice, while raising fresh concerns over the handling of the investigation, MDN News reported.

The criminal trial against the main accused, convicted murderer Rassie Nkuna, who was on parole at the time, is continuing in the Mpumalanga High Court.