Clanlall “Shan” Dwarika, an electrical engineering lecturer at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), has been missing since Sunday. The distraught family of the sixty-one-year-old Dwarika are appealing to the public to help locate their father after he was allegedly kidnapped from Sea Cow Lake on Sunday.
The Greenwood Park SAPS is investigating the case after Dwarika failed to return home. He could not be contacted on his cellphone as it was switched off. Dwarika was driving a black Honda CRV with registration NJ 21395.
Speaking to the Springfield Weekly Gazette, Dwarika’s daughter and son-in-law, Ayuushi and Prasheen Rajbansi, said the family are deeply distressed and are praying for the safe return of their dad. “My father-in-law was planning to do maintenance at his rental property in Sea Cow Lake and disappeared from that area.
“There is footage tracking his various movements and errands. He was near Maynard Road and was seen being confronted by three men. The men then forced my father-in-law into the back seat of his vehicle and drove off. That is the last time he was seen.” said Prasheen Rajbansi.
His daughter, Ayuushi, said: “We are pleading with the public who have information that can assist police in finding my dad to come forward. We are praying for him to be returned to us safe and unharmed.”
The MUT executive issued a statement on Dwarika’s disappearance saying that no ransom has been requested. MUT spokesperson Mbali Mkhize said Dwarika has been with the institution for 26 years. She reportedly said that the incident does not seem to be connected to his work. She said MUT held a briefing on Wednesday, as students who are preparing for their mid-year exams are devastated by his abduction. The institution called for students and fellow lecturers to pray for the lecturer’s safe return.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) is assisting in the search for Dwarika. Spokesperson, Prem Balram, said: “Members of Reaction Unit South Africa and detectives from the Greenwood Park SAPS are following several leads that are sensitive to the case and will not be immediately shared with the public.”
Anyone with information on Dwarika’s whereabouts can contact Greenwood Park Police Station on 031 571 6512 or 10111.
