New and disturbing allegations have emerged in the case involving Boksburg couple Yudistan Pillay, 25, and Jessica Rabe, 20, whose bodies were discovered partially buried at a property in Van Dyk Park.
According to evidence reportedly heard in court, the couple was allegedly forced to drink rat poison before their deaths.
The allegation adds a new and disturbing dimension to a case that has already shocked the Van Dyk Park community following the discovery of the couple’s bodies in a shallow grave.
Pillay and Rabe were reported missing after their families became concerned about their whereabouts. Information gathered during the search eventually led investigators to a property in Wildevy Crescent, Van Dyk Park.
On August 30, police and search teams recovered the bodies of the missing couple from the property. They had been partially buried beneath the house.
The bodies were taken for formal identification and further investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Their identities were subsequently confirmed by their next of kin.
Earlier reports indicated that the cause of death had not initially been established.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of three suspects. Two men, Haroon Rashid Adam, 27, and Wessel Hendrick Swart, 27, subsequently appeared in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court in connection with the deaths.
The pair face charges including premeditated murder, kidnapping, assault and defeating the ends of justice.
The State has opposed bail and the accused have remained in custody while the matter proceeds through the courts.
The latest court proceedings have now brought the alleged use of rat poison into focus.
The allegation is that Pillay and Rabe were forced to consume rat poison before they were killed.
The claim remains an allegation presented during the court proceedings and has not been established as a final finding of guilt against the accused.
The court has yet to determine the full circumstances surrounding the deaths, and the accused remain entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
The discovery of the bodies followed an extensive search after the couple disappeared.
Pillay’s family became concerned after he failed to report for work. His family subsequently searched for him and opened a missing-person case before seeking further assistance.
Missing-person information was circulated through local community networks while information about the couple’s possible whereabouts was followed up.
Information received by investigators eventually led police to the Wildevy Crescent property.
SAPS Search and Rescue personnel and forensic investigators were deployed to the scene, where the bodies were eventually located.
Earlier reports also indicated that the bodies had been wrapped in plastic before being buried.
The discovery was made at a property where the couple’s bodies had been concealed from view.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged deaths have raised further questions about what happened to the couple between their disappearance and the discovery of their bodies.
The latest allegation heard in court — that they were allegedly forced to drink rat poison — is now part of the evidence being considered as the criminal proceedings continue.
The case has attracted significant attention from the Van Dyk Park community, with residents expressing shock after learning that the bodies of two missing young people had been concealed at a residential property.
Rabe’s family has previously called for justice, while Pillay’s relatives have also demanded that those responsible be held accountable.
The accused remain before the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court as the legal process continues.
Further court proceedings are expected to shed more light on the alleged sequence of events leading to the deaths of Rabe and Pillay, the role of the accused and the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning and concealment of the bodies.
The rat-poison allegation remains an allegation at this stage and will ultimately be tested through the court process.
OTHER NEWS
Six Killed, Including Three SAPS Members and Two Prisoners, in R524 Crash
Six people, including three South African Police Service (SAPS) members, two awaiting-trial prisoners and a civilian, have been killed in a head-on collision on the R524 Levubu Road in Limpopo’s Vhembe District.
The fatal crash happened on Tuesday morning, 6 October 2026, approximately five kilometres outside Louis Trichardt.
The collision involved a SAPS vehicle from Tshilwavhusiku Police Station and a white Mahindra bakkie belonging to Tshisimani Water.
According to police, the SAPS vehicle was transporting three awaiting-trial prisoners to a correctional facility in Thohoyandou when it was involved in the head-on collision with the civilian vehicle.
Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and initially certified five people dead.
A third SAPS member, who sustained serious injuries in the collision, was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The officer later succumbed to her injuries, bringing the confirmed death toll to six.
The deceased comprise three SAPS members — one male and two females — two male awaiting-trial prisoners and the male driver of the Mahindra bakkie.
Another awaiting-trial prisoner survived the collision but sustained serious injuries. The prisoner was transported to hospital under police guard for further medical treatment.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. Police have opened a case of culpable homicide at Makhado Police Station as investigators work to establish exactly what led to the fatal head-on crash.
Relevant SAPS units and senior management attended the scene following the collision.
The identities of the deceased are known to authorities but have not been released publicly. Police are withholding the names pending the completion of the necessary procedures and notification of the victims’ next of kin.
The crash resulted in a significant emergency response on the R524, with authorities dealing with multiple fatalities and injuries at the scene.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers expressed his condolences to the families, colleagues and loved ones of the three SAPS members and the other victims who lost their lives.
Scheepers also wished the injured victim a speedy recovery.
The investigation into the collision remains ongoing, and further information may be released as authorities establish the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
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