THE STEEL ROOF & SHEET METAL CO
CU MI T & TR E
KNIGHT SECURITY SPIKES
BEST PRICES WASHLINE POSTS & FOLD AWAYS ROUND BAR
10mm 19mm
SQUARE TUBING
CARPORT POSTS
PALISADE FENCING BEST PRICES READY TO PLANT DIY OR WE DO IT FOR YOU Cnr Blomvlei & Polaris Rds Lansdowne 021 797 5586
E-mail: post@peoplespost.co.za
Tuesday 22 March 2011
Tel: 021 713 9440 Fax: 021 713 9481
‘Senseless’ killing in store REYANA STEYN
P
OLICE are dispelling fears that a murderous syndicate is targeting business owners in Athlone following the killing of a well-known business owner. Other shopkeepers and their workers are terrified that they may be next. Abdullah Daware (62) died at his Surrey Estate business – Dicky’s Meat Market – on Monday 14 March. Four men have been arrested for the murder and are expected to appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court today (Tuesday). “The killing happened just before the store closed at 19:55,” says Warrant Officer Llewelyn Lakay, Manenberg police spokesperson. Ganief Daware, Abdullah’s brother, who was inside the store when the murder took place, explains: “It was my brother, a staff member and myself in the store. Three men dressed in blue overalls entered. Two entered the store and one kept watch at the door. “I remember noticing the overalls because they were brand new and I still thought to myself they must be working for a new company. “I was about to cash up at the time. The one walked down the aisle to the staff member and the other was walking to me.” Ganief says the staff member then screamed when one of the men pointed a gun at her. “She screamed ‘Ganief, look here!’ I was about to walk to her and Abdullah, who was about two metres away, also went to her and then the man who was closest to us shot him point blank. “They took a shot at me and I ducked to the ground and they then ran off. They shot at me again, which missed me.
“It happened so fast. I went to get my gun out of the safe and I wanted to chase after them, but they were gone by the time I got outside. I ran and called the police, but I went blank and couldn’t even remember the number.” Lakay says Abdullah was hit four times in his chest, once in his right side and once in his hand. “The men then sped off in a Maroon VW Golf 5.” Ganief says that what happened still seems surreal. “I wasn’t thinking when it happened and it still hasn’t sunk in. It’s as if he went away, but he will be coming back. What was strange is I kept telling him to go home as he broke his wrist and I told him he shouldn’t be at work, but he refused.” Ganief says his late brother was a father figure to him. “He was the one who reared me from a young age and he was loved by everyone.” Abdullah was buried on Tuesday 15 March according to Muslim tradition. Lakay says two suspects were arrested at a house in Tarentaal Road, Athlone. “Police followed information which was given to them and arrested the suspects on Wednesday. On Thursday, another two men from Mitchell’s Plain handed themselves in at the police station in connection with the murder.” The news of his death still has to be told to his 32-year-old son, who is in hospital since he was in a car accident in Calvinia in January. “The two cousins were in a car accident and one died,” says Ganief. “Abdullah’s son has been in hospital with multiple injuries and to this day he doesn’t even know that his cousin died and now we still have to tell him that his father died too,” says Ganief. Abdullah leaves behind his wife,
“
He was a superb, admirable guy. Always friendly and helpful even with small things
”
18 Hazel Road, Gatesville (opp BP Garage) Tel 021-638 3375/3188
The row of shops in the Surrey Estate shopping complex where shopkeepers and their employees are terrified follow ing the murder of business owner Abdullah Daware, owner of Dicky's Meat Market. Photo: Reyana Steyn Khadija, four children and five grandchildren. Surrounding businesses are concerned as they say there has been a spate of robberies and this is the second “senseless” killing of a business owner. People’s Post previously reported that Sedick Venos, the owner of Crescent Crete Precast Walls on Carbon Road, Athlone Industria, was brutally slain for no apparent reason. The 51-year-old’s body was found by a co-worker at his business on Saturday 11 December 2010. He had been viciously bludgeoned and stabbed to death (“Family mourns after murder”, 14 December 2010). Chantal Muller, who works for Dr MS Hayat Surgery, next to Dicky’s Meat Market, says all the workers are terrified of what else could happen. “We are so scared after the murder of Abdullah. It was a pointless killing. We come to work and we’re terrified because we don’t know if a car can pull up and anyone can be targeted.
“For the past couple of weeks we have had men come into the surgery and ask if they could use the bathroom, but when we tell them no, they get aggressive and we can see they’re scouting the place. “Abdullah was such a good person, always friendly and cracking jokes. Since he’s been gone the atmosphere has been different.” Abe Parker, the owner of Gas and Motor Centre, also situated in Surrey Estate, says he is becoming immune to the robberies taking place. “There have been many robberies in the shopping complex, but one becomes immune to it, even murders – it’s an every day thing. We have lost hope in the police; we want to believe them, but then we see how cases just get thrown out of court. “It is sad about Abdullah. I have known him for more than 30 years. He was a superb, admirable guy. Always friendly and helpful even with small things – a real family figure and very well known. It’s traumatic that he was killed.”
Gateway Optical Centre
Mariam Mtwisha, who works at Primrose Supermarket, says she fears coming to work. “We are so scared because it’s not safe here. This shop has been robbed numerous times, but no one was hurt. It is scary what happened to Mr Daware.” Lakay says police are on high alert and dismisses claims by business owners that there is a syndicate doing the rounds. “We are investigating the murder and following all leads. No money was taken when the men entered the shop. The motive at this stage is unclear. We understand the business owners' fears, but other robberies have not been reported.” Lakay urges the community to come forward if they have any information regarding the shooting. “All information will be handled confidentially and the residents can remain anonymous.” Anyone with information is urged to call the investigating officer, Sergeant Victor Tyobeka, on 082 559 4713.
T/A Eyedeal Optical | Shop 2 Kensington Shopping Centre 12th Avenue Kensington Tel: 021 593 6125 / 37
FREE
non-prescription sunglasses
with every pair of spectacles purchased
We now accept Edgars Cards
• Twinkle Colour contact lenses on special R150 per box (non-prescription) • Contracted to most Medical Aids including: Discovery, PPN ie. Bankmed, Bonitas, Topmed, Gems, Moto, Carecross, Discovery Key Care • Cash + pensioner packages available daily, from R599 (including frame + test + lenses) • Free vision screening for scholars
Visit us today for your professional eyecare
Come in and view our wide selection of frames including designer eyewear: