Alleged De Deur serial killer: Verdict expected in Gauteng High Court tomorrow
Sedibeng Ster reports that Boomgaard is accused of murdering three people between 2012 and 2020.
Judge John Holland-Muter noted during closing arguments that the evidence against Boomgaard is overwhelming, especially concerning the murders of British citizen Harry Nathvani and his girlfriend, Lynette Mustapha.
Boomgaard, who pleaded not guilty, appeared emotionless when prosecutor André Wilsenach argued that the only correct conclusion that could be drawn was that Boomgaard was directly involved in the crimes.
The state's case against Boomgaard relies largely on circumstantial evidence, but the evidence is convincing.
Nathvani's burnt body was found in De Deur in March 2020.
It is suspected that he was strangled and attacked with a blunt object.
Forensic evidence linked Boomgaard's vehicle to the crime scene, and highway cameras showed that her car was near the location where the body was found on the day of the murder.
In addition, police found Nathvani's cellphone at the accused's residence months after his death.
Investigators determined that Boomgaard had conducted internet searches on the deceased's estate.
The deceased's bank cards were also used for large transactions after his death.
Mustapha was murdered in August 2020, and her body was dumped near Nathvani's.
Investigators also discovered forged wills in Boomgaard's possession, naming her as Mustapha's sole heir. A handwriting expert confirmed that the wills were forged.
Boomgaard initially implicated her late brother, Prem Basdeo, in the murders, but later retracted her statement.
The judge noted that these varying accounts weakened her credibility.
Although the state conceded that there was limited evidence about a third alleged victim, John Naisby, both victims (Nathvani and Naisby) visited Boomgaard before they disappeared.
As the trial draws to a close, the court must decide whether the weight of circumstantial evidence is sufficient for a conviction.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Defence in Meyiwa Murder Asks for Charges to Be Dropped as Trial Pauses Again
The five men accused of killing Senzo Meyiwa, Muzikawukhulelwa Sthemba Sibiya, Bongani Sandiso Ntanzi, Mthobisi Prince Ncube, Mthokoziseni Ziphozonke Maphisa, and Fisokuhle Nkani Ntuli appear in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria. Image: Picture: Oupa Mokoena Independent Newspapers The murder trial of soccer star Senzo Meyiwa took another unexpected turn on Thursday, with lawyers for the five accused telling the court they plan to apply to have all charges dropped. This happened right after the state officially closed its case in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. State Prosecutor George Baloyi stood up and told the court, 'It is precisely three years since the state started leading evidence. We now formally close our case.' This marks the end of the prosecution's side of the trial. Now, it is up to the defence to decide whether the accused will testify or whether they will try to stop the trial completely by arguing that the state has failed to prove anything against them. Defence lawyers said they plan to bring an application under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. This law allows a judge to dismiss charges if the state has not shown enough evidence to continue with the trial. Charles Mnisi, who represents accused number three, said they were waiting on a decision from the Legal Aid Board to provide funds for the application. That decision is expected by 6 August. Mnisi then asked the judge to postpone the matter to 7 August, and Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng agreed. But Thursday's court session was not just about legal arguments. There was also more drama over the treatment of accused number five, Fisokuhle Ntuli. Earlier in the week, Ntuli told the court he was being mistreated at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre in Pretoria. He said he was not allowed to speak to his lawyer or family and was denied basic items he needed in prison. Judge Mokgoatlheng ordered that Ntuli be transferred to Leeuwkop Correctional Centre in Sandton. On Thursday, top officials from Correctional Services came to court to explain the situation. They said Ntuli had been moved to the high-security C Max section of the prison after he was allegedly caught with a cellphone during a search on 8 July. Ntuli denied this and said it was not true. His lawyer, Zandile Mshololo, told the court that his rights were being violated. She insisted that the court's transfer order must remain in place and that her client had been treated unfairly. The area prison boss, Emmanuel Khoza, admitted there had been delays and mistakes but said the court's order had made it harder for the prison to manage discipline. He warned that they might appeal the judge's decision. 'We feel disempowered,' he said. 'But we apologise and commit to making sure the court runs smoothly.' Judge Mokgoatlheng did not back down. 'You can bring a formal application if you want the decision changed,' he said. 'But for now, my order stands.' Mnisi also backed the judge, saying courts have the power to run their processes. He blamed the correctional centre for delaying the court each day. 'This court starts late because accused persons are not brought on time,' he said. The five men on trial — Ntuli, Mnisi's client Mncube, plus Muzikawukhulelwa Sibiya, Bongani Ntanzi, and Mthokoziseni Maphisa — are all accused of being involved in the murder of Meyiwa, who was shot at the Vosloorus home of his girlfriend, singer Kelly Khumalo, in 2014. All five have pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. With the state's case now closed and the trial postponed again, the spotlight will now be on the defence. If their application to drop the charges succeeds, it could bring the trial to an early end. The court is set to resume on 7 August.
The Citizen
4 hours ago
- The Citizen
Limpopo insurance murders: Officer testifies to witness tampering
In the ongoing bail proceedings of Rachel Kutumela and her sister Anna Shokane, investigating officer Captain Keshi Mabunda testified that the pair were denied bail due to alleged interference with ongoing investigations. According to Polokwane Review, Mabunda resumed his cross-examination this week following a postponement on July 2. He told the court that both Kutumela and Shokane had previously communicated with state witnesses during Kutumela's earlier detention at Polokwane SAPS. 'When Kutumela was arrested, she used her defence's cellphone to contact witnesses. Once we discovered they were interfering with witnesses, they abandoned their bail bid,' he said. Kutumela's legal representative Adv Moses Manthata, meanwhile, alleged that her constitutional rights were violated during the arrest. Mabunda refuted this, stating that the arresting officers acted within the law. 'She was arrested by officers from Bochum SAPS and taken to Polokwane SAPS. She had no visible injuries. Her rights were respected,' he told the court. Mabunda also told the court that he blacklisted the accused from taking out any more insurance policies. However, this reportedly did not deter them from influencing others to do so on their behalf. He alleged that a key witness, Benedictor Mothata, was persuaded by the accused to open a policy on her ex-husband, despite being unemployed. 'They offered to pay her monthly premiums. When they found out she was giving a statement to police, Anna Shokane hired a lawyer for her and tried to get her to change her statement, claiming it was made under duress,' said Mabunda. The court was shown bank transfer evidence from Flora Shokane to Mothata's account, which was later used to debit premiums by an insurance company. The case continued today in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court. The court outcome was not known at the time of publishing. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Lesotho insists its citizens undergoing military-style training to reclaim land in South Africa
National commissioner of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), advocate Borotho Matsoso said the information about Basotho getting military-style training at certain farms is legitimate. Image: Lesotho Mounted Police Service/Facebook Authorities in the Kingdom of Lesotho insist they have credible information about Basotho undergoing military-style training in certain farms within South Africa, as part of the growing campaign to fight for the contentious land in South Africa's provinces. The land being claimed includes parts of Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Earlier this month, a Lesotho member of parliament, Dr Tshepo Lipholo, leader of the Basotho Covenant Movement, a political party that has been leading the charge in demanding the return of Lesotho's "stolen land" which is part of current-day South Africa, was arrested and charged in the mountain kingdom. Lipholo faces serious charges, including sedition and incitement. He is also accused of violating the dignity and reputation of Lesotho's royal family by allegedly declaring himself the 'paramount chief of Basotholand' and encouraging young Basotho to prepare for armed struggle. It is alleged that audio clips circulating on social media platforms prove these claims. Lipholo has been leading the charge, calling for certain sections of South Africa to be declared Lesotho's territory. Limpholo wants the land to be returned to the governance of Lesotho. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Earlier this year, Lipholo travelled to the United Nations, where he submitted a claim that seeks to reclaim land lost during the colonial era. However, Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations distanced itself from Lipholo, stating he was acting on his own agenda, and the UN trip was not sanctioned by the Maseru government. This week, national commissioner of the Lesotho Mounted Police Service (LMPS), advocate Borotho Matsoso, told Newzroom Afrika that the information regarding the military-style training of Basotho in South Africa is credible. Matsoso said the militant group calls itself Malata Naha (land reclaimers) is active within the borders of South Africa and seems to be 'ready to take over'. 'It is not necessarily young Basotho, but Basotho nationals of different ages, we have discovered that they have been recruited to join this military training in some of the farms in South Africa. This is what we have come across. He added that the programme has the possibility of disrupting peace and security in the region. Some South African citizens, according to Matsoso, have been sucked into the military-style training programme at unidentified farms. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho, Sam Ntsokoane Matekane with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Image: Government of Lesotho Last week, Prime Minister of Lesotho, Samuel Matekane issued a statement following the arrest of Lipholo, adding that his government had uncovered that the ongoing actions were intended to disrupt peace, security, and national stability. The land at the heart of the contended areas was historically inhabited by Basotho, people from southern Africa's Bantu ethnic group, who represent the ultimate majority of Lesotho nationals. Last year, a motion was put before parliament in Lesotho, seeking to reclaim large swaths of land from South Africa. The motion seeks to have the Lesotho parliament declare the entire Free State province, which borders Lesotho, and other areas in South Africa, as part of the small mountain kingdom, surrounded by South Africa. IOL News
