Three suspects in Desai murder granted bail

The three suspects held in custody the past month in connection with the brutal murder of Mr Bhavesh Desai (43) were granted bail this week in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court.

Rose Makhavhlu (42) and Patricia Livhuwani Netshisaulu (37) of Nzhelele were arrested on Tuesday, 7 October, and shortly afterwards, Liremi Mbulaheni Madilongamakatu (31) was arrested in connection with the murder. All three of them, charged with murder, appeared together in court on Friday (21st) and again on Monday (24th) when they brought their bail application.

During the trio’s appearance there was a heavy presence of armed policemen to ensure their safety. The State asked that the three not be released on bail as their lives might be in danger. This was in reference to other suspects in the matter who have not yet been arrested. Provincial police spokesperson Capt Maano Sadike confirmed at a previous appearance that Makhavhlu and her co-accused were 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 Louis Trichardt. When Bhavesh tried to flee from his home’s gate in his car, the attacker(s) opened fire on him with a semi-automatic rifle before fleeing from the scene. 

Liremi was granted R2 000 bail and, upon payment, was released. Makhavhlu and Netshisaulu were both granted R5 000 each. At the time of our going to press it could not be confirmed whether they had paid the amounts.

All three will have to appear in court again on 23 January 2015. 

News - Date: 28 November 2014

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.

Email: [email protected]