Alleged De Deur serial killer: Verdict expected in Gauteng High Court tomorrow

The Citizen

08-05-2025

Verdict in the trial of the alleged De Deur serial killer Zaheera Boomgaard is expected in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria tomorrow.
Sedibeng Ster reports that Boomgaard is accused of murdering three people between 2012 and 2020.
Judge John Holland-Muter noted during closing arguments that the evidence against Boomgaard is overwhelming, especially concerning the murders of British citizen Harry Nathvani and his girlfriend, Lynette Mustapha.
Boomgaard, who pleaded not guilty, appeared emotionless when prosecutor André Wilsenach argued that the only correct conclusion that could be drawn was that Boomgaard was directly involved in the crimes.
The state's case against Boomgaard relies largely on circumstantial evidence, but the evidence is convincing.
Nathvani's burnt body was found in De Deur in March 2020.
It is suspected that he was strangled and attacked with a blunt object.
Forensic evidence linked Boomgaard's vehicle to the crime scene, and highway cameras showed that her car was near the location where the body was found on the day of the murder.
In addition, police found Nathvani's cellphone at the accused's residence months after his death.
Investigators determined that Boomgaard had conducted internet searches on the deceased's estate.
The deceased's bank cards were also used for large transactions after his death.
Mustapha was murdered in August 2020, and her body was dumped near Nathvani's.
Investigators also discovered forged wills in Boomgaard's possession, naming her as Mustapha's sole heir. A handwriting expert confirmed that the wills were forged.
Boomgaard initially implicated her late brother, Prem Basdeo, in the murders, but later retracted her statement.
The judge noted that these varying accounts weakened her credibility.
Although the state conceded that there was limited evidence about a third alleged victim, John Naisby, both victims (Nathvani and Naisby) visited Boomgaard before they disappeared.
As the trial draws to a close, the court must decide whether the weight of circumstantial evidence is sufficient for a conviction.
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