A Durban High Court has sentenced three members of a Chatsworth family to life imprisonment for the murder of their nanny, whom they hired with the sole intention of killing in order to claim a R750,000 life insurance payout.
The convicts — Amdhew Chuttergoon and his wife Managie Jessica Chuttergoon, both 49, together with their daughter Thurashni Naidoo — were found guilty of the premeditated killing of 52-year-old Rashree Dwarika, who was employed as their nanny in May 2023.
A Calculated and Cold-Blooded Plan
Evidence before the Port Shepstone High Court showed that the family deliberately targeted Dwarika because she was single and had no close family ties, believing her absence would go unnoticed.
Just weeks after employing her, the trio forged her signature to secure a life insurance policy in her name without her knowledge. WhatsApp messages presented in court revealed their intent, including one from Naidoo that read:
“She better do the bloods. I need her to kick the bucket.”
Judge Garth Harrison ruled that this message exposed their clear plan to kill the unsuspecting nanny for financial gain.
The Fatal Incident
On June 25, 2023, while at a holiday home in Umzumbe, Dwarika drowned in the swimming pool — just days before the fraudulent policy was due to take effect. The family initially claimed it was an accident, but prosecutors proved she had been deliberately killed.
In another twist, days before the drowning, Naidoo allegedly called Discovery Life pretending to be Dwarika, asking to backdate the policy by paying a double premium — further exposing the fraudulent scheme.
Insurance Scam Unravels
After Dwarika’s death, the family attempted to cash in on the R750,000 policy, but their claim was rejected due to suspicions. By September 2023, they were arrested, denied bail, and remained in custody until trial.
“Life Reduced to a Transaction” – Judge
Delivering judgment, Judge Harrison described their actions as heinous:
“This was a premeditated and cold-blooded crime. They treated a human life as nothing more than a financial transaction.”
A police investigator added:
“This was calculated and callous. Today, they have paid the ultimate price.”
The court sentenced all three to life imprisonment, bringing closure to a shocking case that has gripped the South African public.
this is pure wickedness