Family find closure as killers of lecturer receive life sentences

TWO years after Chanlall “Shan” Dwarika was kidnapped, robbed and killed, his family finally has closure.

- NADIA KHAN

His killers were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Durban High Court last Thursday. Thobani Mhlongo, 23 and Kwanele Makhaye, 29, were also found guilty of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

They were sentenced to five years for kidnapping and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

A third person, Siyabonga Mahaye, 35, was found guilty and sentenced to five years for kidnapping and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The sentences will be served consecutively. He was not charged with the murder.

A fourth person, Sihle Mkhize, 23, was found not guilty on all three charges.

Dwarika, 62, a lecturer in the department of electrical engineering at the Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), was reported missing on May 28, 2023. His body was found six days later in Inanda on June 3.

According to the post-mortem, his cause of death was determined as “slashing injury to the neck (partial decapitation)".

According to the indictment's summary of substantial facts, the State, represented by senior advocate Krishen Shah, said Dwarika owned a house in Maynard Road, Sea Cow Lake.

He said Dwarika, a father of three, resided at another house with his wife in Verulam.

Shah said Dwarika was in the process of renovating the property as he intended on selling it to “Pastor Miya”.

He said the renovations were being thwarted as the material bought were being continuously stolen.

Shah said sometime during 2022, at the suggestion of Miya, Mhlongo, Makhaye, and Mahaye were allowed to stay at the property on condition that they keep the house secure and assist with the renovations pending the sale of the house.

“In terms of this loose agreement, the assailants would not pay rent and the deceased would only pay them for renovations done and some spending money on a casual basis.”