The alleged poisoning and killing of Jessica Rabe, 20, and Yudistan Pillay, 25, has been detailed in court as the bail application of one of the men accused of their murders continues in Boksburg.
Detective Sergeant Moemedi Selele, the investigating officer in the case, testified about the events that allegedly led to the couple’s deaths, including claims that they were assaulted, forced to consume rat poison and taken to an area near the N17 highway before being returned to a property in Van Dyk Park.
Haroon Rashid Adam, 27, and Hendrick Swart, 27, face charges including murder, kidnapping, assault and defeating or obstructing the ends of justice in connection with the deaths.
The State is opposing bail for Adam, arguing that his release could pose a risk to witnesses and interfere with the ongoing investigation.
Couple Reported Missing Before Bodies Were Discovered
Rabe and Pillay were reported missing at Dawn Park SAPS on July 27, after their families became concerned when they could no longer reach them.
Their disappearance prompted a search involving relatives, community members and people assisting with missing-person investigations. Notices appealing for information about their whereabouts were circulated through community safety groups and WhatsApp platforms.
Information obtained during the investigation eventually led police to a property at 25 Wildevy Crescent in Van Dyk Park.
On August 30, the bodies of Rabe and Pillay were discovered partially buried beneath the house. SAPS Search and Rescue members and forensic investigators were involved in the recovery operation.
The discovery brought an end to the search for the missing pair and led to further developments in the murder investigation.
Detective Details Alleged Poisoning
During Adam’s bail proceedings, Selele outlined the State’s version of events surrounding the couple’s final hours.
According to the detective’s testimony, Swart made admissions to investigators implicating Adam after reportedly telling them that he was struggling to sleep because of what had happened.
The court heard that Rabe and Pillay were allegedly collected from Holomisa informal settlement, where they had been living, by people travelling in a white Renault Kwid.
Pillay was allegedly placed in the vehicle’s boot, while Rabe was pepper-sprayed and made to sit in the back seat between Adam’s girlfriend and the vehicle owner’s wife.
The detective testified that the couple were assaulted during the ordeal. The alleged violence continued after they were taken to the property in Wildevy Crescent.
At the property, they were allegedly assaulted with fists and given rat poison, commonly referred to as “two-step”, mixed with Coca-Cola. According to the State’s account, the substance was administered with the intention of killing them.
An associate linked to Adam allegedly supplied the poison. Investigators had not established the exact quantity consumed by each victim, and the substance did not kill them immediately.
The allegations were presented as part of the evidence in the bail application. The case remains before the courts, and the accusations have yet to be determined at trial.
Couple Allegedly Taken to N17 Area
The detective further testified that Rabe and Pillay were taken to an open area beside the N17 highway near the Gosforth Toll Plaza after allegedly consuming the poison.
They were reportedly instructed to walk away from the area. The distance between the location near the highway and the Van Dyk Park property was estimated in court to be approximately four to five kilometres.
According to the State’s version, the pair were subsequently taken back to the Wildevy Crescent property after those involved allegedly realised the poison had not had the intended effect.
Selele testified that, at a later stage, Adam woke up and found Rabe foaming at the mouth, while Swart was allegedly suffocating Pillay.
The precise medical causes of the victims’ deaths have not yet been established in the evidence reported from the proceedings. Investigators were awaiting post-mortem and toxicology results to provide further information about the cause of death and the substance involved.
Bodies Allegedly Concealed Beneath House
The concealment of the bodies also formed part of the detective’s testimony.
The court heard that the bodies were disposed of and buried at the property, with trees planted over the grave. The reported placement of the bodies beneath the house and the measures taken to cover the burial site were presented as indications that those responsible allegedly sought to conceal what had happened.
The bodies were discovered on August 30, following information that directed investigators to the property.
The recovery operation involved police search-and-rescue personnel and forensic investigators. The investigation has continued as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the deaths and the roles allegedly played by those involved.
Post-mortem and toxicology findings remain important to determining the medical evidence in the case.
Alleged Motive Linked to Planned Attack on Neighbour
Earlier testimony in the bail proceedings also raised an alleged motive connected to a planned attack on a neighbour of Adam in Van Dyk Park.
According to the State’s account presented in court, Rabe and Pillay allegedly became aware of a plan to attack the woman and informed her about it.
The neighbour was reportedly involved in divorce proceedings and subsequently obtained a protection order against Adam.
The State alleges that the couple’s knowledge of the purported plan, and their disclosure of the information to the neighbour, was linked to the events that ultimately led to their deaths.
These allegations form part of the prosecution’s version of the case and have not yet been established through a criminal trial.
State Raises Concerns About Witness Intimidation
A significant part of the bail application has focused on whether Adam’s release could compromise the investigation or place witnesses at risk.
During questioning by State prosecutor Sipho Kutuwana, Selele was asked whether Adam could interfere with witnesses if released.
The detective testified that Adam’s proximity to certain witnesses could make it easier for him to approach or intimidate them.
The court also heard that the investigation remained incomplete, with outstanding suspects and other aspects still requiring attention. Selele said Adam’s release could make it more difficult for investigators to complete the outstanding work.
The detective further referred to concerns that Adam allegedly wanted to kill Swart and a member of the Van Dyk Park Community Patrollers Initiative. These concerns were presented during the bail proceedings and remain allegations.
The State maintains that keeping Adam in custody is necessary to protect the investigation and reduce the risk of possible interference with witnesses.
Other Pending Cases Raised in Court
The bail proceedings also heard evidence about other matters involving Adam.
According to Selele, Adam has a pending attempted murder case in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court and another matter involving the alleged possession of an unlicensed firearm in the Vosloorus Magistrate’s Court.
The detective also testified about Adam’s financial circumstances, stating that his known assets included a non-running bakkie at the property where he had been staying.
These details were raised as part of the evidence considered during the bail application.
Childcare Arrangements Also Discussed
The court heard evidence about arrangements for the care of Adam’s minor child.
Selele testified that alternative care arrangements for the child had already been under consideration before Adam’s arrest. Social workers were reportedly with the intended custodial parents on the day he was arrested, after which the child was placed at Adam’s mother’s home.
The evidence raised questions about the childcare arrangements that had been in place before the arrest.
Adam has reportedly argued in his bail application that he remains responsible for his child’s upbringing and that his continued detention could affect the child emotionally and psychologically. His legal representative has also presented arguments in support of his release under possible bail conditions.
The State continues to oppose his release.
Community Calls for Justice
The deaths of Rabe and Pillay have caused distress among their families and members of the communities where they lived.
According to the detective’s testimony, community members organised petitions and demonstrations calling for Adam to remain behind bars.
The case has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the couple’s disappearance, the discovery of their bodies and the allegations now being examined by the court.
The investigation remains ongoing, with further work required to establish the full sequence of events and identify any additional suspects.
Bail Application to Continue
Adam’s bail application continued in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court on October 7 but was not finalised. The proceedings are scheduled to resume on October 13.
Swart is also charged in connection with the couple’s deaths and has reportedly abandoned his own bail application.
Both accused remain subject to the criminal proceedings, and the charges against them have not yet been proven in court.
The State is seeking to keep Adam in custody while the investigation continues, citing concerns about potential witness intimidation, outstanding investigative work and the seriousness of the allegations.
The post-mortem and toxicology findings are expected to provide further evidence regarding the couple’s deaths as the case progresses.
Businessman Opens Fire On Armed Suspects During Linksfield Ambush, One Suspect Killed
An armed robbery attempt in Linksfield, Johannesburg, reportedly ended with one suspect dead after a businessman returned fire when a group of armed men allegedly opened fire on him.
The incident occurred as the businessman was returning to his property in Linksfield, near Edenvale, on Thursday, 8 October, according to a report published on Friday night, 9 October 2026.
The suspects allegedly ambushed the man as he arrived at the premises and attempted to gain access to the property. During the confrontation, the group reportedly opened fire, injuring the businessman.
Despite being wounded, the man allegedly returned fire at the attackers, fatally shooting one of the suspects.
The suspect was reportedly declared dead at the scene.
The exchange of gunfire brought the attempted robbery to a violent end, with the remaining suspects reportedly abandoning their plan and fleeing the area.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the number of suspects involved, how they approached the property and whether they had specifically targeted the businessman, have not been independently established.
It is also unclear from the available report how seriously the businessman was injured, whether he was transported to hospital or whether any additional suspects were wounded during the shooting.
Police are expected to investigate the circumstances of the incident, including the fatal shooting and the attempted robbery. Details regarding arrests, the recovery of firearms and any charges had not been confirmed in the information available at the time of writing.
The incident highlights the risks faced by residents and business owners when arriving at their properties, particularly when armed suspects allegedly target them during their arrival.
The information about the Linksfield incident remains limited, and an official police statement confirming the details could not be independently verified.
OTHER NEWS
Three Suspected Cash-In-Transit Robbers Killed In N12 Shootout As Three Civilians Are Injured
Three suspected cash-in-transit (CIT) robbers have been shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with police on the N12 near the Kliprivier off-ramp in southern Johannesburg on Friday, 9 October 2026.
The incident also left three civilians injured after the vehicle carrying the suspects reportedly lost control during the shootout and collided with two civilian vehicles.
According to Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, the incident followed a crime intelligence operation targeting a group of suspects allegedly preparing to commit a robbery in Roodepoort.
Police had received information about the suspected group and were tracking two vehicles believed to be connected to the planned robbery.
During the operation, officers spotted a white Mercedes-Benz on Kliprivier Road and attempted to stop it as it approached traffic lights.
The occupants allegedly opened fire on the police, prompting officers to return fire.
During the exchange, the Mercedes-Benz reportedly lost control and crashed into two civilian vehicles on the N12.
Three suspects travelling in the vehicle were fatally wounded and were certified dead at the scene.
Three Civilians Injured In Collision
Three civilians were injured when the suspects’ vehicle collided with their vehicles during the incident.
The injured victims were transported to hospital for medical treatment. Their identities and the extent of their injuries had not been disclosed in the available reports.
The collision added to the disruption caused by the police operation on the busy highway, where the scene was attended to by law enforcement officials.
AK-47 Rifles Recovered
Police recovered two AK-47 rifles from the vehicle occupied by the three deceased suspects.
Several rounds of ammunition and magazines were also found inside the vehicle.
The recovery of the firearms forms part of the investigation into the incident and the suspected criminal activity that led police to the group.
Two More Suspects Arrested
Investigators also traced a second vehicle believed to be connected to the suspected robbery operation.
The white vehicle was located in the Johannesburg central business district, where two suspects were arrested.
The arrests followed the operation involving the two vehicles that police were tracking in connection with intelligence about a planned robbery in Roodepoort.
Further details about the identities of the arrested suspects, their alleged roles and any charges they may face had not been provided in the reports available at the time of publication.
Police Commissioner Expected At Scene
Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant General Tommy Mthombeni was expected to address the media at the scene as police continued their investigation.
The operation involved an intelligence-led effort to intercept suspects allegedly preparing to commit a robbery. The circumstances surrounding the exchange of gunfire, the collision and the recovered firearms form part of the ongoing investigation.
The three deceased men remain described as suspected cash-in-transit robbers, and the allegations against the group should be distinguished from any findings that may emerge through the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Further official information is expected as police provide additional details about the operation, the two arrests and the evidence recovered.
