The Johannesburg High Court has postponed the case against police officer Mandlenkosi Buthelezi (43) to 4 November, for a pre-trial conference. Buthelezi stands accused of murdering his 22-year-old girlfriend, traffic warden Chesnay Keppler.
Buthelezi appeared in court alongside his co-accused and fellow police officer Llewellyn Meyers (36), who was arrested following investigations into the 25 December 2024 incident in Eldorado Park.
According to court documents, both accused officers had attended a party in Eldorado Park on Christmas Day, arriving in a marked state vehicle. Keppler was also present at the gathering, where the accused allegedly discovered her in the company of another man.
The situation escalated when both officers allegedly assaulted Keppler, the man she was with, and other party attendees. Keppler managed to flee the scene in her vehicle, but one of the accused followed her.
After reaching her home, Keppler locked herself inside her house. Buthelezi arrived shortly after and attempted to gain entry but was unsuccessful. In a fatal turn of events, he allegedly fired multiple shots through a window using his service pistol, fatally wounding the young traffic warden.
Following the shooting, Buthelezi fled the scene but later turned his service weapon on himself in an apparent suicide attempt as police moved to arrest him.
The charges against the two officers reflect the gravity of the alleged crimes. Buthelezi faces one count of murder, attempted kidnapping, three counts of assault, malicious property damage, and defeating the ends of justice. Meanwhile, Meyers has been charged with two counts of assault, three counts of attempted murder, and defeating the ends of justice.
The case has taken a significant turn regarding bail arrangements. Buthelezi has forfeited his R20,000 bail following complaints that he had intimidated witnesses in the case, while Meyers remains out on bail pending the proceedings.
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