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Two Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead in separate incidents in South Africa within 24 hours, renewing concerns over the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the country.
The latest victim, Belal Hossain Sumon, 34, a Bangladeshi businessman from Noakhali, was shot dead inside his business establishment in Johannesburg at around 3:00 pm (local time) on Wednesday, according to his family.
Sumon was the son of the late Abdul Wadud of Mahajan Bari in Ward No. 4 of Mirwarishpur Union in Begumganj upazila. He had been living in South Africa for several years and was the sole breadwinner of his family. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Earlier, at around 6:00 pm (local time) on Tuesday, another Bangladeshi expatriate from Noakhali, Md Yasin Arafat, 38, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in front of his home in Port Elizabeth. He died on the spot.
His five-year-old daughter, Farhana, was also injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Her condition remains critical. Arafat was buried in South Africa on Wednesday afternoon.
The two killings within 24 hours have alarmed Bangladeshi expatriates and their families, particularly in Noakhali, prompting renewed calls for stronger measures to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi migrants in South Africa.
The victims’ families and local residents urged the Bangladesh government to raise the matter with the South African authorities through diplomatic channels.
They also demanded a thorough investigation into the killings, the swift arrest of those responsible and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.
