The life of a Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal businessman was irreversibly altered after he was kidnapped by a group of armed men from his home in January 2024. The horrific ordeal saw him brutally assaulted with hockey sticks and abandoned for dead in Dannhauser.
The traumatic event led to the arrest of three foreign nationals in Newcastle on 15 May 2024, sending shockwaves through both the Newcastle and Ladysmith communities.
Moreover, the three Pakistani nationals arrested in Newcastle were identified by the KwaZulu-Natal Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (the Hawks) Spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, as Irfan Ullah Khan, Saif Ullah, and Ali Rao Raza.
Newcastillian News reported on the incident involving Kiran Sewnarayan, the CEO of Aisure Group after he was forcibly removed from his home on the night of the attack. Following the arrests, it was reported that the suspects would be appearing in the Ladysmith Magistrate’s Court on 23 May 2024 for their bail application.
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Nearly three months later, Sewnarayan is still awaiting justice. Speaking to Newcastillian News, he explained that the trial is set to commence on 2 September 2024.
“One of the suspects, Irfan Khan, managed to secure R10,000 bail, while the other two suspects did not obtain bail,” said Sewnarayan. He further pointed out that Khan was granted bail despite concerns about him being a potential flight risk.
Reflecting on the case, which is gradually gaining momentum, Sewnarayan praised the Hawks for their diligent work in ensuring justice is served. However, despite their commendable efforts, he remains in the process of rebuilding his life. “Life has to go on, but my hands (injured during the attack) are still healing, and it is a long process which is impacting my work as I cannot use my hands properly. I am hoping that when the trial gets underway, justice is served and the perpetrators receive the maximum sentence for their actions,” emphasised Sewnarayan.
While the trio prepare for the upcoming court proceedings, law enforcement is still pursuing leads concerning other individuals who allegedly assisted in the kidnapping.
With the trial set to begin in a month, with the fate of the three suspects now resting in the hands of the justice system, what are your thoughts on this case?
Share your views in the comments section below.
Comments 9
These pakis believe they own Newcastle especially this Irfan guy . Left a phone to fix screen at cellfix Newcastle corner and he returned a phone that wouldn’t even switch on. He blatantly told me go to police they can’t do him nothing when I said I will call police.
What did Kiran find on these guys that led them trying to murder him. Let’s pray justice is served . Hawks should investigate them properly this group of pakistanis move around with expensive vehicles and there’s rarely customers in their shops
Its a question many are asking Check them after 6pm they walk dressed like mobsters and looking at everyone funny . Especially the one drives the white double cab with long hair and one drives the white lexis.
See this is the reason why there should not be so much criminal rights and the death sentence should be brought back as well because the criminal element do not respect the law or human lives..
These people deserve to spend the rest of their lifes in prison not being released on bail. They knowingly committed a violent crime with the intention of murdering a man. Our justice system is failing. Kiran has carried out a few investigations for the company i work for and his work is astounding. He is also a humble gentleman who definitely does not deserve this .
We have a kidnapped and murderer roaming the streets of Newcastle how safe is our families?
I reported to the Ladysmith saps at 00:37 12 January 2024. We witnessed a man with a jacket covering his head being held at gunpoint by a black male and a pakistani male in the back off a bakkie Registration NN 102-533 White Nissan Np 200 . when they noticed us travellin on the inner lane they put the guns down. The following vehicles where travelling with this bakkie
Raaja 5 zn White ford Ranger
hs 51 wx gp silver X5
NN 102-533 White Nissan Np 200
White Lexus is350 with NN plate we could not get the full registration and a gold corrolla. 2 hours later we called the ladysmith station again to report again as we saw posts of a man who was kidnapped in ladysmith on facebook
I am still in shock that only 3 where arrested all the vehicles where full with pakistanis that is how we knew they are travelling together . We have been scared to come forward as the police did not help when they should have . Rightfully so as this man has gotten bail and roaming the streets of Newcastle like he is the king.
Definitely a well planned crime
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