Qatar residents in Duhail have voiced concern and fear after a man was apparently drowned in an altercation at a residential compound there last week.
Speaking to Doha News, a staffer at the Zahrat Al Wadi compound (formerly known as Rose Valley) said the incident involved three Nepali men – including the compound supervisor – and took place last Tuesday night, July 29.
Many residents reported hearing shouting at the poolside around 9pm that evening.
Shortly after 10pm that night, witnesses saw the compound supervisor exit the property by jumping over a wall. The supervisor’s clothing was said to be dripping with water as he left the scene, and he looked like he was crying.
Footage seen by Doha News showed the supervisor’s companion breaking into a run as he exited the compound at the same time. Those who reported the men for suspicious behavior theorized that they were intoxicated, but this information cannot be confirmed.
Compound security was called soon after 10pm, and it was then that the Nepali man was found lying in the swimming pool, unconscious.
Hours later, at 1am, police and an ambulance appeared at the scene, the employee who spoke to Doha News said.
Aftermath
Residents and workers at the compound told Doha News that the supervisor was arrested by police last week, but released on bail on Aug. 2. Further investigations are said to be ongoing.
After being released, the supervisor returned to work the next day as usual, but did not show up yesterday.
Today, workers at the compound confirmed that the supervisor has been fired and replaced with a man who has been working for the compound owner for years, painting and doing various other jobs.
Meanwhile, the pool area was closed off for several days, but has since reopened, residents told Doha News. However, the water had been drained out of the pool and was not ready to be used today.
In the absence of any official information at Zahrat Al Wadi, rumors have been quickly spreading throughout the compound community.
A British resident at the compound told Doha News:
“Residents have no idea what’s going on and are now afraid that the person responsible might be walking around again. No one seems to be taking it seriously. What concerns me is that we are not being informed if it was an accident or not. The neighbors still haven’t been questioned, which is bizarre. I’m from the UK and that’s first thing police would do.”
However, the incident has caused management to tackle compound safety with renewed effort, security guards told Doha News:
“The management has made some changes as a result of the incident. Before, only four of the pool lights were working. Immediately after the news broke, they requested that all 10 lights be fixed. The management is also consistently checking that we write down the details of every person that enters and leaves the compound.”
Although the majority of compound residents are away for summer vacation, some who remain have said they no longer want to live in the compound. One resident told Doha News:
“We are trying to get hold of the owner to get out of our compound contract. What’s happened is a very sad situation. We demand more information. I will be going back (to request more information) today to see if we can get any update.”
Thoughts?
As a resident of Zahrat Al Wadi, I’m shocked at the way this has been handled. We have heard nothing about the incident, and instead have had to rely on conjecture from neighbours – a disgraceful lack of transparency by the management. For the past year, more and more strangers from outside the compound have been allowed to enter and use the facilities. The peace and quiet we enjoyed is now lost.
Thank you to Doha News for shedding some light on this.
You are so right! Seems to be something they are hiding! God forbid that person is still running around.
May his soul R.I.P
I must say the lack of transparency, while very annoying, doesn’t come as a shock to me. I hope things settle down again so you can have some peace of mind or that you’re able to get out of your contract and relocate if that’s what you’re after
There seems to be a trend in the last year or so for compounds to attract non residents to use the facilities for a fee. From what I can see it is not always very well managed and non documented visitors are free to roam around compounds. Greed over safety.
Assuming the timings are correct, security found the body at 10pm and police & ambulance didn’t arrive until 1am? Not sure which is worse, if security took ages to make the call or if police & ambulance were very late.
I’m guessing security freaked out and took them a while to decide (or get approval) to call police in fear of the consequences since it happened on their watch, as I can’t imagine it would take police that long to arrive if someone reports a dead body.
Security called the authorities immediately. Police were on the scene very quickly. The ambulance were likely informed that the victim was very much dead and it was not considered an emergency call.
Ok, in that case the article needs to be updated since it states both police and ambulance arrived late
Hi Jaded, according to the security guards and residents I spoke with today, the police and ambulance did not turn up until 1am
Double checked this and I misunderstood the security. You’re correct Elysia.
I would be interested know if there is any availability in the compound. If some people are trying to get out of contract, I am looking for a villa. Does anyone know the name and number of the manager of the compound?
Good idea and the right time to get in. With the scary situation prevailing there I suppose the rents are going to hit rock bottom
Nothing to fear about or get scared…fear Allah (swt)…best of luck in your search
Please do not scaremonger
This guy gets it.
Being utilizing the circumstances, you shall be from India, mostly from Kerala or any Metro.
First of all think the usage of swimming pool. Is swimming pools are for the luxury or prestige issue ???. No, it is for cleaning our body and for relaxation, then why we are constructing the pools near to our children and public ??? Municipality must take the decision to keep the pools away from the public. And the security must stop the strangers out of swim and bath other than the residents. This is the failure of Security and the villa management have to think, why they are paying security.