Minerva Gardens murder trial on ice until next year

THE MINERVA Gardens murder trial is likely to only begin next year, as the third accused, Obrey Mabija, has yet to secure legal representation from Legal Aid South Africa.

During the shooting incident, Charmaine Anthony was killed, while her son, Lucan Anthony, was injured in the leg and buttocks at a housing complex in Minerva Gardens on December 21, 2024.

The accused – Advocate Celeste Nameka, her father, Clive Ferris, and Mabija – appeared in the Northern Cape High Court this week.

Nameka and Ferris are facing charges including murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH). Ferris is also facing additional charges of the illegal possession of a firearm without a licence and the unlawful possession of ammunition.

Mabija has been charged with assault GBH.

Northern Cape High Court Judge Pule Tlaletsi postponed the matter until February 10, 2026, for legal representation purposes and a pre-trial conference.

He extended the bail of the accused and warned that if they failed to appear in court, their bail would be withdrawn and they would be kept in custody.

Nameka received bail of R5,000. Ferris was released on R10,000 bail in February after appealing his bail in the Northern Cape High Court. Mabija was released on a warning when he was added to the charge sheet in August.

According to evidence, Ferris responded to his daughter’s frantic calls for help on the day of the incident during a fight in which Nameka and Lucan allegedly accused each other of cheating.

Lucan was reportedly assaulted, strangled and threatened at gunpoint, where Ferris allegedly warned him that he would “show him who he was” for assaulting his daughter.

A Renault Clio drove into the yard, where four men alighted and allegedly assaulted Lucan. Two of the men wore balaclavas, while the other two did not cover their faces.

Lucan fell while trying to flee when a belt was tied around his neck and he was dragged along the ground.

Ferris then allegedly chased after Lucan and his brother around the car as they tried to flee, while Nameka reportedly shouted to her father: “Shoot them, daddy, shoot them all.”

During the commotion, Charmaine Anthony was shot in the abdomen and later died in hospital.

Ferris was injured when a brick was reportedly thrown at his head, whereupon he dropped his weapon and Lucan’s brother disarmed him.

Advocate Jacques Rosenberg is appearing for the State, while Advocate Joy Mongala is representing Nameka and Ferris.