MEN CONVICTED FOR MURDER
21 MAY 2025
MEN CONVICTED FOR MURDER
The Durban High Court has convicted Thobani Mhlongo (25) and Kwanele Makhaye (32) for the kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, and murder of a 61-year-old man in May 2023 in the Seacow Lake area. Their co-accused, Siyabonga Freeman Mahaye (37), was convicted of kidnapping and robbery.
The deceased, Chanlall Dwarika, owned a house (the property) in the Seacow Lake area while he resided in Verulam. He was in the process of renovating this property to sell it to a certain Pastor Miya. However, the renovations were being hampered as materials for the renovations kept going missing. Then at some point in 2022, Miya suggested to Dwarika that he allow Mahaye, Mhlongo and Makhaye to live on the property. This was on condition that they kept the material safe, and they assisted with the renovation. It was agreed that the men would not pay rent to live on the property, and they would get paid for the renovations. They would also receive some spending money on a casual basis.
Despite the three men living there, the building materials still went missing, and on 26 May 2023, Dwarika went to the property and ejected the men from there. Then, on 28 May 2023 Dwarika returned to the property in his motor vehicle to finish some repairs and to install a security gate. While there, he was accosted by the three and forced into his motor vehicle, which they drove off. He was forced to hand over his ATM machine pin as well as bank cards. The men made several withdrawals and made some payments using the cards. At some point, Mahaye left his co-accused, taking the bank cards with him. Mhlongo and Makhaye kept Dwarika at knife point, driving him to the Inanda area where they forced him into the bushes and murdered him. They disposed of his motor vehicle by setting it alight before fleeing the scene. Dwarika’s body was found about a week later.
In aggravation of sentence, Adv. Krishen Shah handed in Victim Impact Statements (VIS) compiled by the wife and daughter of the deceased and facilitated by Court Preparation Officer Thandeka Nadi Mofokeng. The deceased wife described her husband as a helping and giving person who was her pillar of strength. She said that he was her financial and emotional security. Following his demise, she has become anxious and tense. The deceased daughter said that the loss of her father has left her with a deep sadness and grief. She said that finding him six days after he was murdered has robbed her family of the opportunity of seeing him one last time.
The case was rolled over to tomorrow, 22 May 2025, for sentencing.
Issued by:
Natasha Ramkisson-Kara
NPA Regional Spokesperson
KZN Division
0716700229