The trial of Constable Minenhle Makhaye was postponed due to the prosecutor being unavailable. Makhaye was arrested after allegedly using a stolen bank card belonging to Shay Ramsamy, whose daughter Zarah was hijacked and killed outside a fast food outlet in Malvern on September 11, 2024. Zarah, a 12-year-old pupil at Penzance Primary School, had hidden under her mother's Toyota Fortuner when she was fatally run over by the hijackers.
According to CCTV footage, Zarah was run over twice as the hijackers fled the scene with the vehicle. Hours after the hijacking, CCTV footage allegedly captured Makhaye purchasing alcohol with his friends at a liquor outlet in Rossburgh. Makhaye was charged with theft, fraud, being in possession of stolen property, and defeating the ends of justice.
The case against Makhaye was initially withdrawn in July 2025, but was reopened in October 2025 after an investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority. During his pre-trial conference in August, Makhaye said he intended to plead not guilty, claiming he used Ramsamy's card erroneously, thinking it was his card. He attributed his actions to intoxication, saying he did not take the care to notice that it was not his card.
Makhaye's trial was scheduled to start on Wednesday, but was postponed due to the prosecutor's unavailability. The case will be revisited next month, when Makhaye is expected to reappear in court. The postponement has delayed the proceedings, but the case against the police officer remains active.
The hijacking incident that led to Zarah's death was a traumatic event for her family. The community was shocked by the brutality of the crime, and the subsequent allegations against the police officer have raised concerns about accountability within the law enforcement ranks.
Zarah would have turned 13 this year, highlighting the tragic impact of the hijacking on her family and community. The case has garnered significant attention, with many calling for justice to be served. The National Prosecuting Authority's decision to reopen the case was seen as a step towards ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
The trial's postponement has added to the uncertainty surrounding the case, but it is expected to continue in the coming months. As the case progresses, it will be closely watched by the community and those advocating for justice for Zarah and her family.
Key points
- The trial of Constable Minenhle Makhaye was postponed due to the prosecutor's unavailability.
- Makhaye allegedly used a stolen bank card belonging to the mother of a hijacked victim, Zarah Ramsamy.
- The case was reopened in October 2025 after an investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority.
