A massive search and intense investigations by police and a security company, surrounding the abduction of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) lecturer, Chanlall ‘Shan’ Dwarika, ended in tragedy when the body of the Verulam grandfather was discovered in Inanda, earlier this afternoon, Saturday 03 June.
Dwarika was kidnapped by three men on Crow Road in Sea Cow Lake, Durban, on Sunday 28 May.
The Electrical Engineering lecturer was at his rental property with the intention of conducting maintenance repairs when he was confronted and abducted. Dwarika is a resident of Verulam.
CCTV footage captured on the day of the incident showed three men forcing Dwarika into the rear of his black Honda CRV. He was not seen or heard of since.
Private security company, Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) was contacted by Dwarika’s family to assist in the search for their husband and dad.
RUSA head, Prem Balram, said: “Reaction officers and detectives from Greenwood Park SAPS followed up several leads which resulted in a person of interest in the case being arrested at an informal area in Crow Place on Wednesday 31 May. During an interview with reaction officers and SAPS officers, the man was confronted with an identikit of a second individual who was sought for questioning in Dwarika’s abduction. He confirmed that the person was known to him and offered to point out his residence.”
According to Balram, six reaction officers and two detectives from the Greenwood Park SAPS proceeded to an informal area in Springfield Park popularly known as Puntans Hill where the second person of interest was apprehended.
“The 22-year-old explained that on the afternoon of the abduction, he was uplifted from his home by two friends driving the victim’s vehicle. The elderly male was also in the car. They proceeded to several locations. They purchased alcohol using Dwarika’s ATM cards before they murdered him and dumped his body in a bush in Inanda. The suspect could not confirm the exact location as he claimed to have been heavily intoxicated at the time.
Reaction officers and detectives transported the suspect to the area in an attempt to locate the scene. Due to inclement weather and poor lighting the search was called off and resumed on Thursday morning. Once again, the suspect led officers to various locations which yielded no results,” Balram added.
On Friday, investigators from the SAPS Provincial Task Team were appointed to assist in the investigation.
“The team proceeded to Inanda this afternoon (Saturday) with the suspect (22) and discovered Dwarika’s remains in a bush. The victim’s vehicle and two additional suspects are yet to be located,” said Balram.
Tabloid Newspapers spoke to Dwarika’s daughter Ayuushi and her husband Prasheen Rajbansi on Wednesday and their fervent prayer was for the safe return of their dad.
The MUT management also shared a statement on Dwarika’s abduction and called for staff and students to pray for his safe return.
Sadly, Dwarika’s life was snuffed out by his ruthless killers who must be brought to book for the heinous murder of the much-loved grandfather.
