Shariatpur Expatriate Maruf Shot Dead in South Africa

Maruf Bepari of Damudya in Shariatpur moved to South Africa in search of a livelihood. He had been running a business there for more than 10 years. However, he was shot dead following a dispute over extortion money. His body remains in South Africa, and his family is urging the government to bring it home as soon as possible.

Maruf was shot dead by criminals at his business establishment in Zulu Tembe, near the Bustar area of Cape Town, at around 10pm last Wednesday. Bangladeshi expatriate businesspeople in the area alleged that he was killed for refusing to pay additional extortion money.

Maruf hailed from Paschim Sidya village in Ward No. 4 of Sidya Union under Damudya upazila in Shariatpur. His father was the late Abdus Sobhan Bepari. News of his death has plunged his family and relatives into grief.

According to Bangladeshi businesspeople who knew Maruf, he had been running his business in the Zulu Tembe area for more than 10 years. Some local individuals allegedly demanded between 500 and 1,500 South African rand from him as protection money to operate his business.

Recently, an argument broke out over a demand for additional money. Maruf was shot during the dispute and died at the scene, according to Bangladeshi businesspeople in the area.

However, South African law enforcement authorities have not issued an official statement on the motive for the killing. It is also unclear whether anyone has been arrested.

Kamaruzzaman Bepari, a relative of Maruf, said, “My uncle Maruf Bepari had to lose his life abroad over extortion money. Does the embassy there not look into these matters?”

He said the family wanted the government to take immediate steps to bring his uncle’s body home. Amid their grief, their biggest concern is bringing the body back to Bangladesh as soon as possible so they can see him one last time.

Family members said the death of a Bangladeshi expatriate abroad was devastating not only for his family but also for the entire community. Maruf had worked hard abroad for years to support his family, and his death has left his relatives distraught.

Maruf’s body is reportedly being kept at a local hospital in South Africa. However, details of the formal repatriation process, the expected timeline and the steps being taken by the relevant authorities remain unknown.

The family has sought assistance from the Bangladesh government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bangladesh Embassy in South Africa. They hope the necessary legal and administrative procedures will be completed quickly to bring the body home and that a proper investigation will be conducted to bring those responsible to justice.