Dead Body Suspected to Be That of Kidnapped Zimbabwean Businessman Evans Katumba Found in Hammersdale, South Africa
In a disturbing development, a dead body believed to be that of Zimbabwean businessman Evans Katumba who was abducted in Durban, South Africa, last month has allegedly been found.
Zimbabwean Businessman Evans Katumba Abducted in South Africa
Evans Katumba a club owner and a fuel trader specialising in diesel, was kidnapped by armed assailants on the 22nd of March 2024.
He was abducted in Durban by assailants armed with AK47s at a nightspot he had recently acquired.
Ransom Demand and Failed Release: The Abduction of Evans Katumba
After he was kidnapped last month, his abductors demanded a ransom of R2.5 million. Family and friends managed to gather R1.5 million, dropped it in Ballito, a coastal town near Durban.
However, even though the ransom was delivered as planned on 24 March, Katumba was not released by his abductors as agreed.
Shedding more light on the kidnapping case, Katumba’s friend revealed that abductors demanded that one person brings the money and that the police should not be involved. He claims that was the last communication they received from the abductors after they dropped off the ransom money.
“They demanded that one person should bring the money and that police should not be involved. The money was dropped at an open field on the outskirts of Ballito, about 45 minutes from Durban. The kidnappers said they would release him after an hour, but that was the last communication they made.”
After the botched ransom settlement, his family made a police report and the South African police service (SAPS) and Hawks initiated an investigation into his disappearance.
Investigation Update: Dead Body Found in Hammersdale Suspected to be Evans Katumba
After weeks of investigating the case, the police in KwaZulu Natal have reportedly discovered a dead body suspected to be that of the missing Zimbabwean businessman, Evans Katumba.
Crime reporter Yusuf Abramjee has confirmed the development on his official X account.
Police in KZN have discovered a body believed to be that of missing Zimbabwean businessman who was kidnapped in Durban last month.
It is believed that a substantial ransom was paid some days ago.#CrimeWatch
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) April 14, 2024
Emerging reports suggest that dead body was found in Hammersdale, west of Durban. The recovered dead body had two gunshot wounds.
Family Awaits DNA Confirmation in Tragic Case of Evans Katumba’s Disappearance
Due to the advanced decomposition, immediate confirmation of the body’s identity was not possible. The family is awaiting DNA confirmation to establish whether the deceased is indeed Evans Katumba.
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