The shooting occurred at approximately 10 pm on Wednesday, 21 October, at Maruf’s business premises in the Booster area of Cape Town, South Africa. His family and fellow expatriates have alleged that the killing was linked to his refusal to meet the group’s demands.
News of his death reached his family in Bangladesh on Thursday afternoon, leaving relatives and neighbours 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. He was the father of three children.
According to family members, Maruf had been living in South Africa for approximately 14 years, having moved abroad in search of better economic opportunities. He operated a shop in Cape Town’s Booster area, where he had established his livelihood over more than a decade.
Local Bangladeshi expatriates alleged that an armed group operating in the area regularly demanded money from business owners. Maruf was reportedly required to pay 500 South African rand each month to continue operating his business.
The dispute intensified when the group allegedly demanded payments covering three months, despite Maruf’s shop having remained closed for two of those months.
His nephew, Kamruzzaman Bepari, said his uncle had operated the shop for only one month during the preceding three-month period. Consequently, Maruf was willing to pay the amount corresponding to the month in which his business had remained open.
The suspected extortionists, however, insisted that he pay the entire three-month amount.
According to Kamruzzaman, the disagreement escalated into a heated argument between Maruf and the individuals demanding payment.
The men initially left the premises following the confrontation. A short while later, they allegedly returned carrying firearms and opened fire indiscriminately at Maruf before fleeing the scene.
The family believes that his refusal to surrender to the full extortion demand prompted the fatal attack.
The precise circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the identities of those responsible, have yet to be independently established. No details of arrests or findings from a South African police investigation were provided in the initial report.
Maruf’s death has left his family facing an uncertain future. Having spent nearly 14 years working abroad, he was among the many Bangladeshis who seek employment and business opportunities overseas to support their families.
His sudden death has been particularly distressing for his three children and other relatives, who are now awaiting the return of his body to Bangladesh.
Family sources said Maruf’s remains were being kept at the mortuary of a local hospital in South Africa.
His relatives have appealed to the Bangladesh government for urgent assistance in completing the necessary administrative and legal formalities to repatriate his body.
They have also requested support from the relevant diplomatic authorities to ensure that the repatriation process is completed without unnecessary delays.
The incident has raised renewed concerns among local representatives about the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates working and operating businesses overseas.
Rubel Akon, panel chairman of Sidya Union Parishad, emphasised the contribution expatriate Bangladeshis make to the country’s economy through remittances.
“Our expatriates are remittance warriors. Ensuring their security in the global context is extremely important. Effective measures must be taken through our embassies to protect Bangladeshis living abroad,” he said.
His remarks reflected growing concerns over the vulnerability of expatriate workers and business owners who may face threats, intimidation or criminal demands while earning their livelihoods in foreign countries.
For families dependent on income from overseas, the death of an earning member can have consequences extending well beyond the immediate tragedy, affecting household finances and the future welfare of children.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, officer-in-charge of Damudya Police Station, confirmed that local police had learned about the incident through the victim’s relatives.
He said officers were gathering further information to establish the details of the reported killing.
The family has called for those responsible to be identified and brought to justice, while seeking government intervention to facilitate the return of Maruf’s remains.
The allegations surrounding the shooting have yet to be confirmed by the relevant South African authorities.
For Maruf’s grieving relatives in Shariatpur, the immediate priority remains bringing his body home so that his family can arrange his funeral and bid him a final farewell after nearly a decade and a half of life abroad.
