State witness Realeboga Manyedi identified the body that was wrapped in a blanket and placed in a cave as Breggie Brand and her daughter, Elzabé, as the person who was placed under a tree in the veld.
STATE witness Realeboga Manyedi has identified the body that was wrapped in a blanket and placed in a cave as Breggie Brand and her daughter, Elzabé, as the person who was placed under a tree in the veld.
The bodies of the Brand family – Danie, 83, his wife Breggie, 73, and their daughter Elzabé, 54 – were found concealed near Takaneng village after they were brutally assaulted and abducted from their farm in Hartswater on July 26, 2020.
Items stolen during the farm attack include a silver Mazda CX-5, a red Nissan Micra, two laptops, two cellphones, a handbag and a USB stick.
Donald Seolesang, 22, Tshepo Visagie, 38, Kgomotso Mpumlwane, 45, and Tshepaone Malato, 21, are standing trial in the Northern Cape High Court on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping and defeating the ends of justice.
During an in loco inspection that was conducted this week at the cave where one of the bodies was found, the court noted that this area was only accessible by means of a bakkie or SUV.
It was observed that the area was rocky and covered by dense bush while water flowed from a secluded watering hole through the cave.
Manyedi told the court on Friday that the deceased person who was dressed in a gown was Elzabé.
He explained that Visagie had taken her out of the vehicle and carried her to a tree where he covered her with tree branches.
“The person who was wrapped up with a blanket was put in a cave. The child (Elzabé) was wearing a gown and was covered with branches.”
The area was described as being a dense, bushy area that was covered with rocks and stones and was far away from any houses.
Manyedi’s mother, Lesego Eunice Manyedi, stated that she had seen her son on the day of the incident.
“I saw him in the morning. After he ate he went to the Indian shop to play games and returned after about three hours. He came to my mother’s house, then went to the RDP house. I later saw him leaving carrying a bucket. I do not know where he was going,” Lesego said.
She remembered seeing a silver Mazda parked at the RDP house at around 4pm on July 26, 2020.
“There were people with the Mazda. I only knew Visagie and Realeboga who were standing outside the vehicle while three people were sitting inside the car.
“After I saw them, they went out to buy bread and drinks. After they came back from the shop, they went again with the vehicle.”
She stated that she only saw her son again on July 27, where she saw him arriving at the RDP house at around 8am.
“He came to my mom’s house on Monday to charge the phone. I said to him that I did not like seeing unknown cars parked at the RDP house. He left a short while later with the car.”
She noticed that he was “not his usual self” when she saw him on July 27, although she related that Manyedi had assured that “he was fine”.
Lesego pointed out that Manyedi had a Samsung cellphone with a SIM card that was registered in her name.
“His Mobicel phone that was given to him by his aunt was damaged so he bought a starter pack and inserted it into the Samsung cellphone.”
The matter was postponed until December 12-14, while further trial dates were set out for in May and June next year.
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