Missing pensioner found brutally murdered

A 68-year-old taxi drivers body was found by a trail runner, near an intersection just before New Hanover, after he had been reported missing.

When 68-year-old taxi driver Parmanand Singh failed to return home on Friday afternoon, his family feared the worst and set off on a massive manhunt that eventually led to them discovering his body, that had been stripped off clothing, in a forest in New Hanover.

Singh’s body was found by a trail runner in between trees, near an intersection just before New Hanover, during the early hours of Saturday morning. His bottle green Ford Sapphire was found near Greytown later that day.

A distraught Shamil Singh said his father had left home as usual on Friday at 6am, transporting people in the area. He returned at 9am and again left his home to visit a tote in Dalton, having advised the family that he would be back by about 12.45.

“My mum just knew something was wrong when he did not come back that afternoon. They were very close and my dad was extremely punctual. She began to worry immediately when she could not get a hold of him,” said Shamil.

By 3pm, the family decided to notify the police and go out looking for him. Tracing his whereabouts that morning in the area, the family also searched the Mpolweni location, Schroeders, York, Fawnleas,

Wartburg and various other nearby locations. Later that night Parmanand’s family began searching again at. Extended family members searched in surrounding areas like Greytown but failed to find him.

Searching through the night, the family got a dreaded phone call from police at about 9am on Saturday informing them that they had found Singh’s body.

“The worst part was my dad was found 12 kilometers from where we live. We were so close but couldn’t find him,” said Shamil.

It is believed that two or more suspects accosted Singh, taking him in his car which they later parked in the forest so no one could see it. It is unclear at which point he was shot but he was dragged up a pathway and left on some twigs. They took his shoes, pants, and jacket and left him with his shorts.

Singh died of a gunshot wound.

“They could have at least fired a warning shot and left him, they would have easily gotten away with just the car and things that they stole. There was no need to kill him as he was old and couldn’t even fend for himself,” said Shamil.

Describing his father as a humble, harmless man, Shamil said he was well-known in the community for his kindness and gentle mannerism.

“He would never harm even a fly. That makes his death all the more tragic,” said Shamil.

Singh leaves behind two children and three grandchildren.

Investigations continue by the New Hanover police.