Latest news with #Nathvani
IOL News
30-06-2025
- IOL News
Double murderer Zaheera Boomgaard faces sentencing
Double murderer Zaheera Boomgaard in the dock on Monday, holding the pre-sentence report containing her assessment done by a social worker Image: Zelda Venter The Gauteng High Court Pretoria is expected to come to know more about who double murderer Zaheera Boomgaard is after a hefty document compiled by a social worker regarding the personal circumstances of the 62-year-old killer will come under the spotlight. Sentencing procedures were due to start on Monday, but the prosecution asked Judge John Holland-Muter to stand the matter down to Wednesday. Prosecutor Andre Wilsenach said he received the hefty pre-sentencing report shortly before the proceedings were due to start and he needed to study it. A copy of the document was also handed to Boomgaard in the dock, where she appeared in high spirits, laughing and talking to the female police officers who kept an eye on her as she is in custody. Boomgaard was earlier this year convicted on two counts of murder as well as on a host of other crimes, including forging a will and 36 counts of theft regarding cash withdrawals from the account of one of her victims. Two bodies were found within months of each going missing, both burnt beyond recognition. Both were also strangled and hit with an object before they were set alight. Boomgaard was acquitted on a third count of murder against her, but this body was never found. The court said there was not enough evidence to link her to the third alleged killing. John Naisby went missing in 2012 after visiting Boomgaard and was never seen again. But Judge Holland-Muter said there was overwhelming evidence to convict her of the murders of Jamnadas Harkant Nathvani, a British national whose body was burnt beyond recognition, as well as that of her friend, Lyntette Mustapha, 72. Nathvani, also 72, had arrived in Gauteng in 2020, and he was last seen in February that year when he took a bus from Park Station in Johannesburg to Newcastle in KwaZulu Natal. A missing person's case was opened at the Newcastle police station, and the information was circulated. His body was found in the open veld in Gauteng in March 2020 and was burnt beyond recognition. It was months later that the police were able to identify him by his teeth, but it was established that there were signs of blunt force trauma and strangulation. Mustapha's charred remains were found in Walkerville a few months later. She was identified by her denied the bulk of the charges against her, but she did admit that she used Nathvani's bank card after his death. The State called several witnesses, including a woman who had discovered the charred body of Nathvani in March 2020. This was near the residence of the accused. A police sergeant who visited the scene discovered imprints, which resembled tyre imprints, on the ground near where the body was discovered. The imprints matched the tyres of Boomgaard's car. Another police officer testified about a blue and white rope around the neck of the deceased's body. Boomgaard's neighbour, Christina Uys, testified that she saw this man several times walking in the complex's garden. She saw him sitting on a bench outside Boomgaard's unit and once lying on a couch in the unit. It turned out to be Nathvani.
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- The Citizen
Alleged De Deur serial killer: Verdict expected in Gauteng High Court tomorrow
Verdict in the trial of the alleged De Deur serial killer Zaheera Boomgaard is expected in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- The Citizen
Murder accused's fate to be known tomorrow
Murder accused's fate to be known tomorrow PRETORIA – Verdict in the trial of the accused De Deur serial killer Zaheera Boomgaard is expected in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria tomorrow. Boomgaard is accused of murdering three individuals 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 her 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 estates. 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. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
