South African taxpayers may ultimately bear the cost of legal representation for Watson Luandi, the owner of Hope of Achievers Rehabilitation Centre (HOAR), who is accused of being in the country unlawfully after allegedly failing to renew his permit following its expiry in 2024.
Luandi, together with six co-accused, faces multiple charges in the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court, including murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and defeating the ends of justice. The charges arise from the death of 22-year-old Thato Dikgwatlhe, who allegedly died after being assaulted at the Segwashi-based rehabilitation centre outside Polokwane on 3 November 2025.
Appearing before the Tzaneen Magistrate’s Court on 29 May, Luandi, a Zimbabwean national, informed the court that he would seek assistance from Legal Aid South Africa after his legal representative, Marothi Mawasha, withdrew from the matter.
“I will seek Legal Aid from now on after the withdrawal of my legal representative,” Luandi told the court.
Presiding officer Magistrate Mphago postponed the matter to 19 June, when a date for the regional court trial is expected to be determined.
The court previously heard that Thato and several other patients allegedly escaped from the rehabilitation centre on the day of the incident. It is alleged that they were pursued, apprehended and assaulted with various objects.
The State further alleges that, after discovering that Thato had died, the accused attempted to conceal the incident by burning his blood-stained clothing, washing his body to remove evidence of injuries and transporting the body to Mankweng Hospital.
Luandi was denied bail on 5 May despite submissions by Mawasha that his client is married and the sole breadwinner of his family, whose wife was reportedly struggling to pay rent and meet basic household needs.
State prosecutor Mozane Mangena opposed the bail application, citing evidence from investigating officer Sergeant Mathebula that Luandi had no fixed residential address and that the addresses he provided allegedly belonged to relatives.
Mangena further informed the court that Luandi’s permit to remain in South Africa expired in March 2024 and had not been renewed before his arrest. The prosecutor also stated that Luandi’s mother-in-law indicated that she would not accommodate him at her residence if released on bail, citing cultural reasons.
The State additionally argued that Luandi could interfere with witnesses if granted bail.
Luandi, Thabang Mokoena, Jacob Mashishi and Kgomotso Malebana remain in custody pending the determination of a regional court trial date on 19 June.
Meanwhile, Tshegofatso Mabala remains behind bars after failing to pay bail of R5,000. The remaining accused, Lucky Phoka and Jonas Modiba, are out on bail after securing their release during the early stages of the case.
