Helder Isidro (36), a resident of Eersterust, is facing charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice after the death of Loveness Magabe (30), whose body was discovered in a shallow grave at the suspect’s home. Isidro, who appeared before a Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, opted to abandon his bail application after a brief court appearance on Monday (4/8). The case has been postponed to 15 October for further investigation.

The investigation has revealed a chilling sequence of events leading to Magabe’s death. According to the authorities, Isidro and Magabe initially connected on a Facebook hook-up site and later continued their communications on WhatsApp.

They allegedly arranged to meet in person on 26 July at a lodge in Eersterust. However, when the day arrived, the deceased was reportedly directed to Isidro’s residence rather than the agreed-upon location.

Magabe reportedly became uneasy about the situation. Before meeting Isidro, she allegedly sent a message to a friend, expressing concerns about the place where she had been dropped off. 

In the message, she noted that it “looked dodgy” and shared her GPS location, presumably in case something went wrong, said NPA Gauteng spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

Loveness Magabe. Photo: Facebook

The following day, 27 July, when Magabe failed to return home, her friend reported her missing at the Sunnyside police station. As the investigation unfolded, it led authorities to a shocking discovery. On 31 July, the police found Magabe’s body buried in a shallow grave at Isidro’s residence in Eersterust.

Following an intensive search and investigation, Isidro was apprehended on 4 August at his grandmother’s house in Limpopo. In addition to the murder charge, he is also facing charges of defeating the ends of justice, after allegedly attempting to cover up the crime.

Isidro is also facing a rape charge and is scheduled to appear on the same date.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh