Milnerton businessman kidnapped

The Western Cape police are investigating the kidnapping of a businessman who was taken near his Milnerton home almost two weeks ago.

Roger Brijlal, a prominent business owner, was last seen in the morning of Tuesday, September 9, and later that day, his car was recovered abandoned in Joe Slovo.

A source close to Mr Brijlal 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 received by a person close to Brijlal from the people who took him, 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 said Mr Brijlal suffers from hypertension and asthma.

“Another concern 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. It is possible that 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 has appealed to the public for anyone 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.”

Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that the Provincial Anti-Kidnapping Task Team is investigating Mr Brijlal’s case.

“Kindly be advised that the mentioned case number is a kidnapping and extortion case. According to reports, the complainant’s fiancé did not come home, and 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,” he said.

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

Mr Brijlal’s family declined to comment.