Police have taken a 35-year-old man into custody in connection with the murder of Dr Priya Bhim, a Chatsworth teacher.
Dr Bhim had last been seen on Thursday October 12, leaving Seaview School, where she taught. Her body was discovered at her Silverglen residence on Wednesday, leading to a criminal investigation involving murder and house robbery charges.
Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, the provincial police spokesperson, aid Bayview SAPS were handling the case.
“We can confirm that a 49-year-old woman, who had been reported missing on October 17 was found with stab wounds at her Silverglen home. Her vehicle and personal belongings were located at premises in Mariannhill. A 35-year-old suspect has since been arrested,” said Lieutenant Colonel Gwala.
Dawn Gounden from Renegade Search and Rescue provided insight into the case, explaining that Dr Bhim had last been seen at her school in Seaview, Durban, driving a white Nissan Almera.
Concern arose when she did not show up at school the following day, and family members’ attempts to reach her via phone had been unsuccessful.
Ms Gounden, speaking on behalf of the family, disclosed that they had been alerted to Dr Bhim’s disappearance during the week, which prompted a search effort. The breakthrough in the case was attributed to the tracking of the victim’s vehicle by private security companies PT Alarms and Pro Secure, as well as the police.
“Her body was found inside her home where she lived alone. The cause of death and how long the body was there is now subject to the investigation. Priya was loved by everyone in the community. There has been an outpouring of grief from family, students, teachers and community members who described her as polite, compassionate person who was a true humanitarian.”
Ms Gounden, whose organisation deals with missing persons cases, stressed the importance of reporting such cases as soon as an individual becomes unreachable.