Family members and friends remain baffled and in shock, after learning that a local kinesiologist who went missing for more than a week, was apparently murdered and that his body had been lying at the local mortuary for about a week.
The news also surprised many, more so, as his disappearance was only reported to the police more than a week later by his immediate family members. It was also surprising that the disappearance of the father of five, was not posted on social media platforms for a ‘lookout’.
This past Tuesday March 2, the family of Muhammed Dawood Parak (53) of Van der Wall Street, in Erasmia, received the news that his body had been at the Pretoria Government Mortuary for a week. According to a local resident, Dawood was last seen with friends at an Erasmia restaurant the previous Friday evening (February 19). It is believed that he was missing since that weekend, but strangely, the family only reported him missing to the police, this past Monday, March 1, about nine days later.
According to a police reservist, Pretoria West Police were called to the scene by a passer-by, late Tuesday evening, (February 23) where the body of Dawood was found battered in his Toyota Fortuner, near Rod Street and Quagga Road. “He seemed to have been beaten up, as he sustained multiple injuries,” the reservist said. Dawood’s body was then taken to the government mortuary. Police at that time did not know that Dawood was missing and did not have details of the family. The Laudium Sun understands, that Dawood’s car was impounded and taken to the police garage, near to where his body was found. It is only when Dawood’s family reported him missing more than a week later, that further investigations led to the Pretoria West Police, who confirmed that Dawood’s body was at the state mortuary. Local resident Yusuf Abramjee, tweeted that Dawood was murdered and that he had sustained various injuries.
Abdul-Sattar Akoob, of Ansaar Estate, a friend of the late Dawood, told the Laudium Sun, “It is very sad and disturbing to hear the news of my friend, who I was very close to for years. I am shocked to learn that he was apparently beaten to death. Dawood and our other friends, used to meet almost every day, either at his home or at my home. He was a very helpful person, down to earth, always there for the poor. May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdous, Ameen.”
Saajida Parak, daughter of the late Dawood, said, “As the family is still mourning, we do not have comments for now.”
Constable Sibongile Vuma, of Pretoria West Police Station said, “The 53 year old victim being the deceased, was found on the backseat of a grey Toyota Fortuner. He was found lying facing upward, bleeding through the mouth. His left ankle was broken and he was certified dead by Tshwane Emergency. The investigation for murder is still ongoing and we are searching for the suspects. We appeal to anyone with information in this case, to come forth. Know that confidentiality will be granted should one want to remain anonymous.”
Constable Tumisang Moloto, of the Erasmia Police, said, “A missing persons file was only opened on Monday, March 1, at the Erasmia Police Station. During the investigation, it was discovered that Pretoria West Police had opened a case of murder on Tuesday 23rd February, when they discovered a body on the side of Quagga Road, Pretoria West. It is alleged that the body was found inside the vehicle and the deceased’s car was then impounded. The family of the deceased identified the body on Tuesday, March 2. The exact cause of his death will be determined through post-mortem results.”