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
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
'I believe Kenny 100%': McKenzie defends Kenny Kunene
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has defended his deputy, Kenny Kunene, amid controversy over alleged ties to a mastermind in DJ Sumbody's murder case. This follows Kunene's presence during the arrest of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, a suspect in DJ Sumbody's murder investigation. Molefe was arrested for his alleged role in the killing of amapiano star Oupa 'DJ Sumbody' Sefoka in November 2022. DJ Sumbody and his bodyguard died in a drive-by shooting on a Woodmead road after their vehicle was shot at. The arrest occurred on Monday, with Kunene present at Molefe's home, raising questions about their relationship and possible associations. Kunene insisted he was only there to assist journalists with a scheduled interview at Molefe's house. He explained that his contact had helped the journalist secure an interview with Molefe and had accompanied them there. Kunene maintains he does not have Molefe's contact details and had never visited the suspect's home before the arrest day. 'Then there was an opportunity to interview Molefe and somebody that I know who knows Molefe, and then I arranged the interview. I then had to transport the journalist to Molefe's home,' he told eNCA. He added he was shocked when the police raided Molefe's home and arrested him. Following this, on Tuesday, McKenzie announced that Kunene has been placed on thirty days of special leave while the matter is investigated internally. In a post on X, McKenzie said his believe that Kunene had no direct link with Molefe, and they are launching a probe. 'Firstly, I believe Kenny 100%. I can't expect everyone to believe him, hence we are launching a full investigation to prove what we already know, which is that he is innocent. We will share the whole process and findings,' he said. He added, 'People are saying that I shouldn't vouch for @Kenny_T_Kunene, but I will vouch for him a million times. I know this man. He is a socialite, and his only crime is the accessibility of everyone to him. I believe his version. The party has a duty to treat everyone the same.' WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Two children hit and killed walking home on N2 near Amatikulu, mother critical
Two children hit and killed walking home on N2 near Amatikulu, mother critical Two children, aged six and ten, were killed after being struck by a vehicle on the N2 near Amatikulu on Tuesday evening. The boys had been walking home with their pregnant mother when the incident occurred shortly after 7pm. The woman suffered critical injuries and was treated on scene by IPSS Medical Rescue paramedics. The incident was initially reported as a hit-and-run, but it is understood the driver has since been identified. This comes just three days after five people, including a family of four, were killed nearby in a terrible crash on the R66 near the Dokodweni bridge. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
More questions over Kunene's presence at the house of the suspect
Speaking to a TV channel Kenny Kunene claimed he was accompanying a young journalist from his own media company, hoping to help them land an exclusive interview with Katiso 'KT' Molefe about the murder case. Image: Facebook Who is the journalist Kenny Kunene says he was escorting? Which media house do they belong to? And why were they meeting a murder suspect behind closed doors with a sitting MMC present? These are the urgent questions facing both political and media circles following revelations that Kunene, deputy president of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Johannesburg MMC for Transport, was present at the home of Katiso 'KT' Molefe, the man now under arrest in connection with the 2022 assassination of musician Oupa 'DJ Sumbody' Sefoka. On Tuesday evening, PA leader Gayton McKenzie took decisive action by suspending Kunene from the party and announcing plans to remove him as MMC. He said this would allow an independent investigation to proceed without political interference. 'Kenny Kunene will be investigated by lawyers of good character,' McKenzie said during a live broadcast. 'I will be writing to the Johannesburg Council to remove him from his MMC duties. He will also step back from politics for one month. This is the hardest decision I've made.'Kunene has acknowledged being at Molefe's Sandton residence when police carried out the arrest on Monday. 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 ✕ Speaking to a TV channel, he claimed he was accompanying a young journalist from his own media company, hoping to help them land an exclusive interview with Molefe about the murder case. 'These are young journalists,' Kunene said. 'This would've been a great exclusive for them. It was a matter of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.' However, Kunene has not named the journalist, nor has he disclosed which media outlet they were working for. No interview footage has surfaced. No article has been published. No public statement has been made by the mystery reporter, raising serious doubts about whether any legitimate journalistic activity was taking place. The lack of transparency has drawn strong criticism from political rivals and civil society. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for Kunene's immediate resignation, saying his version of events is implausible and his position as MMC is no longer tenable.'The explanation offered is laughable,' said Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, the DA's Johannesburg caucus leader. 'It is unacceptable that a senior city official was found at the home of a murder suspect. There are no circumstances under which this conduct is excusable.' She continued: 'If Mr Kunene was genuinely assisting a journalist, where is the journalist? Where is the content? The people of Johannesburg deserve honest leadership, not secrecy and political theatre.' Molefe, who is facing charges linked to DJ Sumbody's fatal shooting in Woodmead in November 2022, is expected to appear in court later this week. The attack left two people dead and another injured, and it shocked the entertainment world and public has maintained that he believes in Kunene's innocence but stressed that belief is not enough.'I believe him 100%,' McKenzie said. 'But I can't expect the whole country to. That's why we are launching this investigation, and we will be transparent with the findings.' Political analysts have also weighed in, pointing to the unusual nature of a politician introducing a reporter to a suspect wanted in a high-profile crime. Speaking to a TV channel Kenny Kunene claimed he was accompanying a young journalist from his own media company, hoping to help them land an exclusive interview with Katiso 'KT' Molefe about the murder case. Image: Facebook
