Three suspects in court following Desai murder

Police have confirmed that they have made several arrests in connection with the brutal murder of Mr Bhavesh Desai (43) on 5 October.

According to provincial police spokesperson, Capt Maano Sadike, three people have been arrested.

Rose Makhavhlu (42) and Patricia Livhuwani Netshisaulu (37) of Nzhelele were arrested on Tuesday, 7 October. Shortly afterwards, Liremi Mbulaheni Madilongamakatu (31) was also arrested. All three of them briefly appeared in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court on three different occasions since their arrest.

Last Friday, 17 October, they appeared together in the Louis Trichardt District Court, each on a single count of murder. The trio were solemn, standing far away from each other in the accused bench.

Sadike said that police are still investigating the matter, as Makhavhlu and her co-accused are suspected of being the accomplices of the people who had shot and killed Bhavesh.  

Bhavesh was shot dead by an unknown number of suspects who had followed him to his home at Wylliespoort after he had been visiting family in Eltivillas in Makhado (Louis Trichardt). When Bhavesh tried to speed away from his home’s gate, the attacker(s) opened fire on him with a semi-automatic rifle, before fleeing from the scene. 

In the meantime, Netshisaulu, Makhavhlu and Liremi will remain in police custody. Their case has been postponed until 13 November, when they are expected to bring a formal bail application.

Date:24 October 2014

By: Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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