The family of slain Mpumalanga woman Hillary Gardee has intensified its call for accountability, widening its focus beyond their daughter’s murder to what it describes as a deepening crisis of unresolved killings linked to alleged police corruption in the province.

In a follow up to their recent legal push, the family says the issue now speaks to a broader pattern of failed investigations into both political and non-political murders, with claims of sabotage, human trafficking and extortion involving senior police officials.

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Deputy President Godrich Gardee confirmed that the family has formally engaged President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Madlanga Commission, following explosive allegations contained in a dossier submitted by former Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela on 19 April 2026.

Gardee said the family appreciates the acknowledgement of their request by both the Presidency and the Commission, but stressed that their pursuit of justice has evolved.

“We thank President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Presidency and the Madlanga Commission for acknowledging receipt of our request. Even if they do not accede to it, there are other avenues,” he said.

He added that the fight is no longer just about one case.

“It is not about our daughter, Hillary Gardee, but about all killings, whether political or not, in the province that remain unresolved due to alleged police corruption and sabotage, human trafficking and the extortion of business people by senior police,” he said.

Hillary Gardee, the daughter of Godrich Gardee, was kidnapped outside a shopping complex in Mbombela in April 2022. Her body was later found in a bushy area, sparking national outrage after police confirmed she had been assaulted before being killed.

While her case drew widespread attention, the family now argues it reflects a wider systemic breakdown in policing in Mpumalanga.

Central to their concerns are allegations in Manamela’s dossier, which reportedly detail interference in investigations, the disbandment of the Political Task Team in the province and claims of collusion between senior police officials and criminal networks.

According to the family’s legal team, these claims raise serious questions about whether high profile and politically sensitive cases have been deliberately undermined.

They have called for Manamela to testify under oath before the Commission and present evidence to support her claims. The family also wants several senior police officials implicated in the allegations to be summoned.

Further concerns raised in their submission include alleged interference in the Hillary Gardee investigation, possible tampering with forensic evidence and claims that a senior officer communicated with a murder suspect while he was evading arrest.

The family has also pointed to broader allegations of human trafficking operations and extortion schemes targeting business people, which they believe may be operating with protection from within law enforcement structures.

“The buck stops here and now,” Gardee said, insisting that accountability can no longer be delayed.

He added that provincial intervention remains an option, noting that Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu could appoint a commission of inquiry in terms of Section 127(2)(e) of the Constitution.

“We have not lost hope. There are mechanisms available, and there are capable retired judges in Mpumalanga who can lead such a process,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 4 pm on Thursday, in what is expected to be a significant development amid mounting concerns over policing in the country.

Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Acting Police Minister, and the address is widely expected to shed more light on the state of the South African Police Service following growing evidence that some officers may be involved in corrupt activities.

The anticipated address comes as pressure builds on the government to respond decisively to the allegations raised in the Mpumalanga dossier, as well as broader concerns about political interference and criminality within law enforcement.

Analysts say the President’s remarks could signal whether the government is prepared to take stronger action against corruption within the police, including possible reforms or further investigations.

For the Gardee family, the moment represents a critical turning point, not only for their daughter’s case, but for countless others that they say have been left unresolved.

“There are many families without a voice whose cases have gone cold,” a source close to the family said.

As the country awaits the President’s address, the Gardee family maintains that their fight is now about exposing the full extent of alleged wrongdoing within the police and ensuring that justice is no longer selective.

“It is not all hope lost,” Gardee said. “But the truth must come out.”