DELMAS – Wessel Badenhorst (55), accused of murder and attempted murder, had his formal bail application postponed after a brief appearance on April 16. The case is now set for April 23, 2024, as the prosecutor was unavailable, and there wasn’t enough evidence presented on the day against the accused. Badenhorst, head of security at Argent farm, faces charges for the murder of Mzwakhe Hlatshwayo and attempted murder. On March 22, 2024, police and Emergency Medical Services responded to a farm call where they found a woman with gunshot wounds. They later discovered Hlatshwayo’s body with multiple gunshot wounds. Siyabonga Hlatshwayo, the deceased’s brother, commented on the bail application at the Delmas Magistrate’s Court. “Badenhorst is lying about paying for my brother’s funeral expenses. We received nothing from him. I believe he gave the money to a political organisation, which took the funds. Duncan Masina, the bus owner where my brother worked, arranged and covered the funeral costs,” he stated. Conny Sikhosana, the mother of the deceased’s child, shared her feelings about the postponement of the bail hearing. “This delay feels like they’re playing games with us. It’s painful, especially since I’m left to care for our 3-year-old child alone,” she expressed. Argent resident Ntokozo Mabena voiced her opinion on the court’s bail application. “Political organisations seem to be exploiting this murder case. If Badenhorst did contribute to the funeral expenses, the Hlatshwayo family should have been contacted to verify the donation. The Hlatshwayo family received no funds from the Badenhorst family,” she emphasised.
