Hannah Mathura’s parents remanded into custody

The parents of Hannah Mathura have been remanded into custody after appearing before a Master of the High Court charged with her murder.

Police said Alana Mathura, 63, and her husband Andrew Mathura, 65, both of Butu Road in Valsayn South, appeared before a Master Sarah De Silva yesterday.

The matter was heard virtually.

They were represented by attorneys Tahirah Davis Gibbs and Steffon Boodram. 

The State had its interests represented by police prosecutor Insp Ashley Mungroo.

W-Cpl Jules was the complainant (charging officer) in the matter.

The court was informed at yesterday’s hearing that the State intended to tender into evidence at least 26 witness statements – including one from Andrew Mathura and two from his wife.

At least 12 were purportedly prepared to be submitted at this point, with the others expected to be formally finalised in the coming months.

The court was also informed that the evidence that was being submitted against both accused was mostly circumstantial.

After further submissions, the court gave dates for both the prosecution and defense to file all necessary documents and responses.

A status hearing was set for March 25, 2026, while a sufficiency hearing date has been set for April 1, 2026.

The two were then remanded into custody.

However, they were reminded of their legal right to apply for bail, despite the murder charge.

And that if they meet the necessary criteria, they would be able to access it.

On Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard gave the investigative team, led by ASP Victor, instructions to charge the couple.

The officers then made their way to Butu Road in Valsayn where the couple was detained around midday.

They were then taken to the Arouca Police Station where they were processed and charged.

They spent the night in police custody.

Mathura would have turned 25 this year.

She was last seen alive on July 9, 2017, however, she was never reported missing.

Her skeletal remains were discovered in the backyard of her home along Butu Road on March 12, 2024.

A month later, DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) testing was done which confirmed that the remains belonged to the missing teenager.

A post-mortem revealed that the skull bore marks of blunt force trauma, and a hole which appeared to be consistent with a gunshot entry.

However, no spent shells were found at the home, nor in the grave where the remains were found.

Hannah’s parents were originally detained following this information, and later ordered released by Gaspard after he had perused the files.

He instructed investigators to bring more evidence which would ensure a successful prosecution.