Body believed to be that of kidnapped businessman Roger Brijlal found

The body, suspected to be that of kidnapped businessman Roger Brijlal, was found on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after his abduction near his Milnerton home.

According to Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg, the remains were discovered on September 16 and later traced to the mortuary in Salt River.

He further stated the body had not yet been identified.

“Kindly be advised the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, Anti-Kidnapping task team are investigating a kidnapping case, registered at Milnerton SAPS on September 9, involving a 59-year-old male. On Tuesday, detectives traced the body of an as-yet-unidentified man to the Salt River mortuary, ” Twigg said.

Brijlal, a prominent business owner, was last seen on the morning of September 9 when he left for work.

Later that day, his car was recovered abandoned in Joe Slovo, a neighbouring township.

A source close to Brijlal previously said they became worried when he failed to turn up for work on the morning he disappeared.

“He’s a creature of habit,” the source said. “He would communicate with his family and co-workers early in the morning, but he didn’t that morning. Concern grew throughout the morning when attempts to reach him failed. Continuous efforts were made to reach out to him, but he was not answering his phone, and by that afternoon, a missing persons case was opened.”

However, it is now understood that subsequent contact was made by those who took Brijlal, making threats and demands.

The source explained: “A case was opened at Milnerton police station, and that was when his vehicle, a VW Amarok, was recovered abandoned in Joe Slovo.”

The source stated that Brijlal suffered from hypertension and asthma.

“The other problem is that he is not in the best of health. Even though he is known for being a strong person, he doesn’t have any form of medication with him. The kidnappers may have been watching him for some time. It could be an ex-employee who took him, or it could be anyone.”

He appealed to the public members who could have seen Brijlal. “The community can help us find him 100%. That’s where the information could come from. This is very painful for the family; they are desperate to find him, and they want to bring him back home.”

Twigg confirmed the complainant’s fiancé (Brijlal) did not come home and went to the police.

“She went to report him missing. The complainant then received a telephone call demanding a ransom for the victim’s safe return. The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation, and arrests are yet to be made.”

Anyone with any information about this incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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