NATIONAL NEWS - A major breakthrough has been made in the investigation of the murder of former York High School learner Dr Nicholas Procter.

Procter (40), an anaesthetist attached to the Nelanest Anesthetist Association in the MedicClinic Nelspruit in Mbombela, was found dead in a Mbombela flat last Thursday afternoon, 1 February, with his hands and feet tied up.

Three men were arrested on Monday and appeared in the magistrate's court in Mbombela on Tuesday 6 February. Siyabonga Kekane (20), Nkateko Tshidzumba (25) and Bheki Ndlovu (38) were arrested in Protea Glen, Soweto.

During the court appearance, the state said that a fourth suspect was still being sought. The matter has been postponed to 14 February for a bail application. 

The state said it intends to oppose bail.

Procter was first reported missing on Thursday morning when he failed to show up for work at Mediclinic Nelspruit. His vehicle was spotted later that morning parked on the bridge near Elawini, and a search by local police, emergency medical services and security companies was immediately launched around the bushes and the Nels River near the bridge.

The investigation led the authorities to a flat on an estate later that afternoon, where Procter’s body was found. He was declared dead by Emer-G-Med at 16:28.

iSecure’s general manager, Hendrik Botha, alleges that on Wednesday night, 31 January, Procter and another individual had a business arrangement in a vacation rental unit on the estate. iSecure is the security company for the estate.

Botha said both parties had a gate code to enter and exit the estate, generated by the owner of the vacation rental apartment. He said the parties arrived at different times and access control procedures were followed. 

He said when one of the parties left the estate, these procedures were again followed.

Tributes for Procter have since been pouring in from many of his friends and colleagues.

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