Lecturer’s body found north of Durban
One of the men involved in the kidnapping told police and RUSA officers how the incident unfolded.
THE body of 61-year-old Clanlall Dwarika, also known as Shan, was discovered in Inanda, north of Durban, this afternoon (Saturday).
Related story: Search continues for man kidnapped in Sea Cow Lake
One person was taken in for questioning, which led to the discovery of the victim’s body. Reaction Unit South Africa, Greenwood Park SAPS and an appointed Provincial Task Team are part of the investigation.
The victim’s vehicle and two additional suspects are yet to be located.
Dwarika was kidnapped in Sea Cow Lake on Sunday afternoon while doing maintenance at a property he rented out.
Also read: ‘Search and seize’ conducted in Greenwood Park schools
Two days later, CCTV footage emerged showing three men forcing the victim into his vehicle and then driving off.
According to Prem Balram of Reaction Unit South Africa, RUSA and Greenwood Park SAPS followed up on numerous leads which lead to the discovery of Dwarika’s body.
“Detectives 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,” said Balram.
During the interview with the suspect, the man was shown 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,” said Balram.
Six RUSA officers and two detectives from the Greenwood Park SAPS proceeded to an informal area in Springfield Park, KZN, popularly known as Puntins Hill, where the second person of interest was apprehended.
He was transported to the Greenwood Park SAPS where he was interviewed.
“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 and purchased alcohol using Dwarika’s ATM cards,” said Balram.
They then murdered him and dumped his body in a bush in Inanda. The suspect could not confirm the exact location as he claimed he was heavily intoxicated.
Determined to not give up, RUSA officers and detectives took 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,” said Balram.
On Friday, investigators from the SAPS Provincial Task Team proceeded to Inanda with the 22-year-old suspect, and on Saturday, they discovered Dwarika’s remains in a bush.
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