A Bangladeshi expatriate from Chandpur has been shot dead by armed assailants in South Africa.
The victim was identified as Md Jamal Mia. He was killed around 11:30pm on 9 September.
Jamal was the son of Md Chidu Mia Bepari of Sipai Kandi village under Fatehpur East Union in Matlab North upazila. He is survived by his wife Majeda Begum and three children — son Bayezid, 8, daughter Cynthia, 3, and youngest daughter Samira Akter, 2.
According to local sources, Jamal migrated to South Africa four to five years ago in search of better livelihood opportunities. With his savings, he later opened a variety super shop, which he managed himself with the help of an employee.
On the night of the incident, a group of armed criminals entered his shop and opened fire, killing him on the spot. An employee who was present at the shop was also critically injured and is undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
Jamal’s death has left his family without its only earning member. His wife has been devastated by the loss, while grief has spread across the entire village.
Jamal’s father, Md Chidu Mia Bepari, said his young grandchildren had been orphaned at an early age and expressed deep sorrow over not being able to see his son’s body.
He urged the Bangladesh government, including the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board, to take immediate steps to bring back his son’s body for burial in their home village.
He also demanded financial assistance for the family and called for the arrest and exemplary punishment of those responsible under South African law.
