Philemon Lukhele from Mbombela rebuilds his life and image as ANC Chief Whip after murder charges
Lukhele said he is taking baby steps after being reinstated to his position after he was wrongfully arrested and charged with the murder and kidnapping of Hillary Gardee.
After spending almost a year behind bars and having to miss Christmas with his daughter for the first time, Philemon Lukhele from Mbombela, is slowly rebuilding his life and image, which was tarnished by the kidnapping and murder charges.
Lukhele was arrested and charged alongside Albert Gama and Sipho Mkhatshwa shortly after Hillary Gardee’s body was dumped on the Lydenburg Road in April 2022.
Gardee, the daughter of attorney and former EFF secretary general, Godrich Gardee, had gone missing until her body was found dumped in a timber plantation.
Shortly after the discovery of her body, the police arrested the above-mentioned trio as their prime suspects.
They applied for bail in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court, which was denied.
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In August last year, the police arrested Rassie Nkune after linking him to this case and he became the fourth accused.
Nkune had been on the run after killing his girlfriend and her sister in KaNyamazane.
He has since pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two life sentences.
On January 13, Lukhele was finally granted R20 000 bail. On April 12, the Mpumalanga High Court provisionally withdrawn all the charges against all four accused.
Speaking to Mpumalanga News on Monday, Lukhele, who had lost everything including his dignity and businesses, said he was happy that justice had prevailed at the end.
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“I said in the beginning that I am innocent. Those who really know me would even attest that I am not a violent person by nature and would never dream of doing such an act. I am still hurting inside. This whole scenario did not only break me, but a lot of people including my own family, comrades and the entire Mpumalanga community. But, broken as I was, I knew I had to remain sane and strong. I prayed for the truth to come out.”
Lukhele was recently reinstated into the ANC Chief Whip’s office at the provincial legislature. He said although he is taking baby steps, they are steps towards rebuilding his life.
“This whole debacle has taught me valuable lessons in life, such as to appreciate and cherish your freedom and live every minute, because tomorrow may never come and freedom is limited. I am treating each day as a blessing.
“I have since taken a decision to sue the state for wrongful arrest, unlawful incarceration, loss of business, loss of income and reputational damage,” said Lukhele.
