Family devastated by the tragic loss of Richards Bay man Ranjankumar Sew

The family of a retired Richards Bay salesman, who was found murdered after being reported missing, say they are devastated by his death.

The family of Ranjankumar “Boya” Sew, 57, said on Friday that they are in shock after his body was found at the Aquadene housing project site on Thursday afternoon.

Sew’s brother-in-law, Louie Naidoo, said Sew was a quiet, gentle man who lived a simple, orderly life.

He was unmarried and had no children.

“He was a very quiet guy,” Naidoo said. “He didn’t smoke, he didn’t drink. He lived a very decent life.”

Naidoo said the family is devastated. “We are very hurt and we miss him so much,” he said.

A funeral service for Sew is scheduled for next week. Police investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Sew was reported missing after he left his home in Brackenham to visit the Brackenham Clinic on Tuesday and did not return.

Security company Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) said on Thursday that Sew’s white Toyota Avanza was located in northern KwaZulu-Natal late on Wednesday, and that two suspects found in the vehicle had been detained.

Sew’s body was then recovered at the Aquadene site.

Naidoo stated that the family had earlier received information indicating that Sew’s vehicle had been captured on camera in the KwaMbonambi area. He also confirmed the family became aware of a R5,000 demand, but said it remained unclear whether the call was genuine. He said the family is not sure if the demand was a hoax or not.

Relatives became alarmed when Sew failed to arrive at the clinic and could not be reached. Two of his friends checked on him, and when they could not find him, the family began tracing his movements with help from community members and camera footage that led investigators to the area where the vehicle was recovered.

THE MERCURY