The shooting took place at approximately 10 pm on Wednesday, 21 October, at Maruf’s business premises in the Booster area of Cape Town. His family and fellow Bangladeshi expatriates believe the killing was directly connected to his refusal to meet the group’s financial demands.
News of his death reached his family in Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon, leaving relatives devastated.
Maruf was the son of the late Abdus Sobhan Bepari of West Sidya village, Ward 4, under Sidya Union in Damudya upazila of Shariatpur district. He was the father of three children.
According to family sources, Maruf had been living in South Africa for nearly 14 years after leaving Bangladesh in search of better economic opportunities. He operated a shop in Cape Town’s Booster area, where he had established his livelihood through years of work.
Local Bangladeshi expatriates alleged that an armed group operating in the area regularly demanded extortion payments from Maruf. The group reportedly required him to pay 500 South African rand every month to continue running his business.
The disagreement arose when the suspected extortionists demanded payments for three consecutive months, although Maruf’s shop had remained closed for two of them.
His nephew, Kamruzzaman Bepari, said his uncle had operated the business for only one month during the preceding three-month period. Maruf therefore agreed to pay the amount corresponding to that month but refused to cover the two months when the shop had been closed.
The group, however, allegedly insisted on receiving the full three-month payment, equivalent to 1,500 rand.
According to Kamruzzaman, the disagreement escalated into a heated argument between Maruf and the individuals demanding the money.
The suspects initially left the shop following the confrontation. They allegedly returned a short while later carrying firearms and opened fire repeatedly at Maruf before fleeing the scene.
Family members believe the attack was carried out because Maruf had challenged the group’s demands.
The identities of those responsible have not been established in the information provided by the family. There has also been no confirmed account of arrests or findings from an investigation by South African law enforcement authorities.
Maruf’s sudden death has left his family facing an uncertain future. Having spent almost a decade and a half abroad, he was among the many Bangladeshi expatriates who establish businesses overseas to earn a living and support relatives back home.
His killing has been particularly distressing for his three children and other family members, who are now awaiting the return of his remains.
Family sources said Maruf’s body was being kept at the mortuary of a local hospital in South Africa.
His relatives have appealed to the Bangladesh government to intervene urgently and assist with the necessary administrative and legal procedures to repatriate his body.
They have also sought assistance from the relevant Bangladeshi diplomatic authorities to ensure that the repatriation process can be completed as quickly as possible.
The incident has prompted concern among local representatives about the safety of Bangladeshis living and working abroad.
Rubel Akon, panel chairman of Sidya Union Parishad, emphasised the contribution expatriate Bangladeshis make to the national economy through remittances.
“Our expatriates are remittance warriors. Ensuring their safety in the global context is extremely important. Effective measures must be taken through our embassies to protect Bangladeshis living abroad,” he said.
His comments highlighted the importance of diplomatic assistance for expatriate workers and business owners who may face threats, intimidation or violence while pursuing their livelihoods overseas.
Remittances sent by Bangladeshis working abroad provide financial support to countless households and contribute to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. The death of an expatriate family member can therefore create both emotional and economic hardship, particularly when children and other dependants rely on that person’s income.
The circumstances surrounding Maruf’s death have also drawn attention to the challenges faced by small business owners operating in unfamiliar environments, where disputes involving alleged criminal demands can pose serious risks.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Damudya Police Station, said local police had learned about the incident through the victim’s relatives.
He confirmed that officers were gathering further information to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported killing.
Maruf’s family has called for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice. They are also seeking prompt government assistance to bring his body back to Bangladesh.
The allegations concerning the motive and circumstances of the shooting remain based on accounts provided by relatives and local expatriates, pending confirmation from the relevant South African authorities.
For the grieving family in Shariatpur, the immediate priority is to complete the formalities required to repatriate Maruf’s remains and arrange his funeral in his home country.
After nearly 14 years of building a livelihood overseas, his life has ended in violence, leaving three children without their father and a family waiting to bring their loved one home.
