Neighbour ‘confesses’

THE family of Sandesh Lalla want justice. Lalla, 43, was found dead in his home in Longcroft, Phoenix, last Wednesday by police. He had multiple injuries on his head and back.

Zunaid Dawood, 38, his neighbour, allegedly confessed to his mother that he had killed Lalla. She informed the police and they found Lalla’s body in his lounge.

Dawood fled the area but Warrant Officer Ronald Ramalu, Sergeant Niren Hurrinath and Captain Tharajen Reddy, who were working on tip-offs from the community, arrested him at a garage in Florida Road on Friday.

Dawood was charged with murder. He appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday and the matter was adjourned.

Vinesh Sewgobind, Lalla’s uncle, said: “Sandesh was a loving son, brother and uncle. He had a cheerful and happy-go-lucky personality. Sandesh suffered from cerebral palsy and in his last days, he became more God-conscious and attended services at the Hare Krishna Temple.”

Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, a provincial police spokesperson, said a case of murder was being investigated. She confirmed that a suspect had been arrested and charged with murder.

Lalla was cremated at the Clare Estate Crematorium on Saturday.