Eldorado Park Family Fuming After Man Arrested for Girlfriend’s Murder Released on Bail
- Eldorado Park community members were furious after a man who was arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend was released on bail
- The accused, Mandla Buthelezi, reportedly killed his girlfriend, Chesnay Keppler, in December 2024 and was arrested shortly after
- Keppler's family members expressed frustration with the criminal justice system, and the community was also furious
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered a range of criminal activities, including cash-in-transit heists, kidnappings, taxi violence, police investigations, police shootouts, and court cases at Daily Sun for over three years.
Source: Facebook
ELDORADO PARK, JOHANNESBURG — The family of Chesnay Keppler, who was murdered allegedly by her boyfriend in Eldorado Park on 26 December 2024, was heartbroken and fuming that her alleged killer, former police officer Mandla Buthelezi, was given R20,000 bail on 11 August 2025.
Mandla Buthelezi, who was arrested for Keppler's murder, appeared before the Protea Magistrates Court in Soweto and was granted R20,000 bail. Buthelezi, who was a police officer, reportedly murdered Keppler after a dispute.
Keppler's aunt, Elsabe Whittin, said the criminal justice system is failing them, and as a family and community, they are heartbroken. She also slammed the bail amount and said that it could not bring a life back. Members of the community gathered outside the court and chanted "justice for Chesnay" while swearing and shouting.
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Source: Facebook
When was Keppler buried?
Keppler was buried on 4 January 2025, less than a week after she was killed. Members of the provincial government, including Premier Panyaza Lesufi, attended the funeral.
Buthelezi first appeared on 30 December, and his case was postponed. The police reported that he tried to kill himself when he was arrested hours after the murder. He appeared again on 6 January, and his case was postponed.
What did South Africans say?
South Africans commenting on Facebook were heartbroken.
Tshepo Kgoroso said:
"Bail application should be reviewed. Such people shouldn't get bail because no investigation should be conducted."
Luonde Luonde said:
"What confuses me is that Commissioner Masemola reiterated recently that an attack on the police is a direct attack on the state. Why can't the court make a befitting decision?"
Tshepo Tshepo said:
"This will lead people to take the law into their own hands because killing in South Africa is a hobby."
Pinky Disemelo said:
"I'm beyond heartbroken because the first time I came across the story, I was so emotional as if I knew that beautiful child personally. This is just evil from the powers that be."
Gontse Boika said:
"Wow, what has this country turned into? A national shutdown is needed here."
Mpho Sehoana said:
"We are living in a rotten state and lawless country. where murder is like killing chickens."
Gauteng cop arrested for murder
In a related article, Briefly News reported that a police officer stationed in Park Station was arrested after he allegedly murdered on 26 December 2024. The officer was arrested in Tshwane.
The suspect reportedly killed a man outside his home in Protea Glen. The victim was watching a football match when he received a call, asking him to go outside. The caller reportedly gunned him down.
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Source: Briefly News
