Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 2013-09-26

The Chairperson of the Azaadville Community Policing Forum (CPF) Mohammed Sadek Sheik was shot dead during an armed robbery at his business in Kagiso on Gauteng’s West Rand.

Shoeb Malik, Sheiks business partner told Radio Islam that a group of about ten armed men stormed Shaiks hardware shop at around 1:15pm on Wednesday and held up staff.

According to Malik, the humble and polite businessman who was a prominent figure in the Azaadville community was at the back of his shop when the robbers stormed in.

Hearing the commotion Sheik rushed to the front of the shop when a tussle ensued between him and one of the robbers.  Grabbing Sheik, they shoved him to the ground – then shot him twice – once in neck and in once in the stomach.

Malik said that he and Metro police who were patrolling the area at the time chased after the robbers and managed to apprehended one suspect.

The police’s Sipho Ngubane said the gang fled with an undisclosed amount of money. “A substantial amount of money was taken during this robbery. We have one person that we have held for questioning. We cannot say at this stage if he’s actually linked to the crime.”

Shabier Dabhelia, a member of the Azaadville Community Policing Forum (CPF) said that the death of Shaik was not related to the work of the CPF but at this point in time the motive seemed to be entirely armed robbery.

“Bearing in mind that there was an attempted armed robbery also during the Easter weekend at his place where he was busy locking the store at that time and they tried to grab hold of him between the lockup point and the vehicle,” said Dabhelia.

“There was a shootout that ensued and the robbers then got away empty handed at that time. So perhaps it could be the same people that have now re-strategized their modus and rather come to him while the store is still open. It could be linked to that but, those are just speculations,” added Dabhelia.

Sheik was rushed to hospital, but sadly he passed away along the way.
 
A man hunt is underway for the robbers.