Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Dhaka, Nov 9 (bdnews24.com) – At least five Bangladeshis have been killed in incidents of robbery in South Africa in the month of November alone.

Three of them killed in Johannesburg are Ahmed Noor and Dil Mohammad, killed on Nov 1, and Mobarak Hossain, on Nov 5.

The other two Bangladeshis – Mohammad Shahidullah and Mohammad Sohel – were killed on Eid night in Durban, first secretary of Bangladesh High Commission in South Africa Mohammad Mizanur Rahman told the bdnews24.com.

About 50,000 to 60,000 Bangladeshis, mostly from greater Noakhali, live in South Africa and many of them are engaged in businesses like grocery shops, mobile or other electronic items-selling outlets and restaurants.

Mizan said he had been posted there for just over two months, and in this period, about 10 to 12 Bangladeshis had been killed.

"Last year, the total figure was 13."

Ahmed Noor and Dil Mohammad were running a grocery shop, where a black worked for many years, leading them to believe he was a trustworthy person, Mizan said.

"They had about Tk 9-10 lakh cash with them on the fateful night, when the man thrashed their heads with a hammer and made good with the booty," he said.

Mobarak Hossain also had his grocery shop in Johannesburg where he caught hold of one of the robbers who came to his shop to rob it.

"The robber first shot him in the stomach and then in his head, killing him on the spot," Mizan said.

Mohammad Shadilluah also owned a grocery shop, which was robbed on Nov 1 or 2. As he filed a case in this connection, one of the robbers was arrested, he said.

"Enraged miscreants struck at the shop a second time and killed him and brother-in-law Mohammad Sohel on Nov 7," the official added.

"It looked like an act of revenge."

The dead bodies of Ahmed Noor, Dil Mohammad and Mobarak Hossain were sent back to Bangladesh, Mizan said.

He said most of the Bangladeshis were doing good in their businesses, but the shabby law and order situation had put them at 'high risk'.

"Most of them do not transact through banks and it makes them all the more vulnerable to crime," he added.

bdnews24.com/ssz/nir/2015h