Police probe discovery of body believed to be kidnapped businessman Roger Brijlal

A body suspected to be that of the kidnapped businessman, Roger Brijlal, who was taken near his Milnerton home earlier this month, was found this week.

According to police spokesperson Wesley Twigg, the remains were found on September 16 but were later traced to the mortuary in Salt River.

He further stated the body had not yet been identified.

“Provincial Organised Crime Investigation, Multi-Disciplinary Anti-Kidnapping Task Team detectives are investigating a kidnapping case, registered at Milnerton SAPS on September 9, 2025, involving a 59-year-old male. On Tuesday, detectives traced the body of an as-yet-unidentified man to the Salt River mortuary.

“At this stage, it is too early to release further details, as a formal identification is still pending. The deceased was found in Philippi East on September 16, 2025.

"Both the kidnapping and the murder cases remain under active investigation,” Twigg said.

Brijlal, a prominent business owner, was last seen on the morning of September 9 when he left for work.

Later that day, his car was recovered abandoned in Joe Slovo, a neighbouring township.

A source close to Brijlal previously 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.”

It is now understood that subsequent contact was made by those who took Brijlal, 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 stated that Brijlal suffered from hypertension and asthma.

“The other problem 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. The kidnappers may have been watching him for some time."

Twigg confirmed the complainant's fiancé did not come home and a police report was made.

“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.”

Anyone with any information on the incident is urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

Cape Times