DELMAS – The Delmas Magistrate Zondo granted Wessel Badenhorst (55) bail of R10 000 under certain conditions and re-read his bail application. Badenhorst disputes all the previous charges against him from 2016 to 2019. Badenhorst, head of security at Argent, was arrested on charges of the murder of Mzwakhe Hlatshwayo and attempted murder.
According to the police, on March 22, 2024, they were called, along with Emergency Medical Services personnel, to a certain farm where they found a woman with gunshot wounds. It is said that on the day of the crime, a drone camera was flying around, and through the camera, they found the dead body of Dumisani Hlophe in the farm field.
The Magistrate stated that Badenhorst’s previous court cases would continue until his innocence is proven. The next session was adjourned to August 20, 2024. Speaking on behalf of the deceased’s family, the deceased’s brother, Siboniso Hlatshwayo, expressed his feelings on the bail granted to the murder accused. “I am not happy at all about the bail granted to Badenhorst, but we shall see on August 20. The justice system has failed us, but the investigating officer, Mothupi, is still waiting for investigation results, so there’s still hope,” he expressed.
The former colleague of the deceased, Zweli Sithole, commented on the bail granting. “We did not think Badenhorst would be granted bail, but there’s nothing we can do other than continue attending the other sessions,” he commented.
The Magistrate indicated that the murder accused was granted bail because they do not think he will escape the country, as his passport has expired. He also mentioned that everyone has a right to bail.
