Grim details of the homicide of Antony (73) and Gillian (78) Dinnis, elderly residents of Mooi River, were revealed during the bail hearing of one of the individuals involved in their abduction in August 2023.
During the bail hearing at the Mooi River Magistrate’s Court, evidence presented indicated that Lungelo Mkhize (22), who is facing charges of kidnapping and extortion, was responsible for the murder of the couple. The testimony further revealed that their bodies were dismembered and intended to be sold for muthi in Johannesburg.
Detective Warrant Officer Johannes de Lange, in an affidavit submitted as part of the state’s argument against granting bail, disclosed that a ransom demand of R2 million was sent to the couple’s son shortly after their disappearance.
De Lange said the couple’s son, Sam Dinnis, received a WhatsApp message from Gillian’s phone on September 2 last year written in Zulu, which read: “To make things easy just pay 2 [two million] into this bank account number if you want to see your parents again.”
“Thereafter, a kidnapping case was endorsed on the case docket due to the message sent and also due to the fact that Gill and Toni had not returned home.
“Nobody had heard from them, nor could they be found around the Middelrus and Mooi River areas. Searches were done by SAPS search and rescue, as well as other influential stake holders,” said De Lange.
Mkhize was arrested on September 16 last year, following an investigation that linked him to a cellphone, which had used a SIM card that had been inserted into the couple’s cellphone during their disappearance.
De Lange said Mkhize was found in possession of the handset, as well as a firearm, allegedly used in the kidnapping, when he was arrested.
The magistrate denied him bail and the case was postponed to April 19 for a regional court date.
Article written by:
Thabile Duma
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
