Manhunt for ruthless killers
A provincial task team has been called in to deal with the murder case
EMPANGENI resident Malcolm Naidoo made a gruesome discovery on Tuesday night when he encountered the corpse of his friend Deena ‘Roland’ Sagathaven (43) in a granny flat in President Swart Street.
Sagathaven’s throat had been slit and he was found lying face up in his lounge on a mattress.
A forensic investigator told the ZO he suspects the body had been laying there for at least a day.
King Cetshwayo Police spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdalose told the ZO a provincial task team had been called in to investigate the brutal killing.
Mdlalose said police found Sagathaven’s vehicle, a white Toyota Fortuner, abandoned in a remote location in Ngwelezana on Monday afternoon.
‘Someone alerted the police, who then went out to inspect the vehicle. It was established that the vehicle was owned by a man in Tongaat.
‘After making contact, the owner of the vehicle informed us that the vehicle was being used by his son.
‘As I understand, the father then sent someone to where his son resides in President Swart Street. That is when the discovery was made,’ said Mdalose.
Naidoo was contacted by Sagathaven’s father and asked to go to his home to check if anything was wrong as his phone had been switched off.
‘I drove through with my wife, but as soon as we drove down the driveway I realised something was wrong.
‘The garage light was on and the gate was open, which is not usually the case because of the dog in the yard. I reversed out of the driveway and contacted a friend who works for a local security company.
‘He told me to drop my wife off at home and to return to Roland’s place to keep an eye out if anyone was entering or exiting the property.
‘He then arrived and we found the granny flat’s door unlocked. We entered and found his body.
‘He was a good person, a calm guy and a good friend,’ said Naidoo.
A case of murder has been opened by Empangeni SAPS and the matter will be investigated by a provincial task team.
Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact investigating officer, Colonel Bonga Mdalose, on 082 5570365.
