Latest update August 31st, 2026 10:17 AM
Nov 25, 2021 News
Kaieteur News – Twenty-five-year-old Nazamudin Rafeek called ‘Shazam’ was on Wednesday sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice Sandhil Kissoon at the Berbice High Court.
He had initially pleaded not guilty to the murder of businessman Arthur Rajkumar, 81 and his reputed wife Diane Chamanlall, 44, of Bushlot Village, West Coast Berbice which occurred sometime between January 8th and 9th 2016. He however later opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter during trial. ‘Shazam’ was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after serving 35 years.
State Prosecutor, Abigail Gibbs, had detailed previously that the accused and others were smoking ‘Ganja’ and concocted the plan to rob the couple of their valuables and cash. They invaded the premises by wrenching out a grilled door while demanding ‘gold and money’ but the couple told them that they did not have any.
The couple was then chopped about their bodies with a cutlass and knife, before the accused and his accomplices proceeded to ransack the home and shop. Gibbs said the men had the time to pack groceries and drank Stag Beer while searching for gold and money.
After spending several hours and realising that the police were outside, they fled and during the attempt to escape Rafeek dropped his cap at the crime scene. The cap was later identified by him while in custody. Rafeek was also covered in blood when he escaped from the crime scene and spots of it were found in his yard and bathroom. Police also found Rafeek’s bloodied clothes soaked in a bucket of water in his house. The accused was represented by Attorney-at-law Mursaline Bacchus.
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Aug 31, 2026
CPL – The Jamaica Kingsmen recorded their fourth win of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with a 7-run win via DLS over the Trinbago Knight Riders, as the rain halted play just...Aug 31, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – There is an old temptation among small countries, particularly those situated beside larger and more troublesome neighbours. They often mistake the friendship of a great power for an insurance policy. The illusion is comforting. It permits governments to spend less time...Aug 30, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – For generations, Kenscoff was where people from Port-au-Prince went to breathe. Its cool hills offered relief, and its farmers supplied the capital’s markets. Gang attacks reached the commune in January 2025, but it remained an important barrier between...Aug 31, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – I wish to thank publicly President Ali and the PPP Govt for keeping Guyanese in mind, caring for them. This should have been done before, but circumstances kept getting in the way. The president helped to get priorities in order, so here I am with gratitude in my heart,...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com