Dhaka, Oct. 22 -- A Bangladeshi expatriate from Shariatpur has reportedly been shot dead in South Africa.

His relatives claim that he was killed after refusing to pay extortion money demanded by a local group.

Maruf Bepari, from Shariatpur's Damudya Upazila, was shot at his business premises in the Booster area of Cape Town around 10pm on Wednesday, Sidya Union Parishad panel chairman Rubel Akon said.

News of his death reached his family on Thursday, leaving his relatives in mourning.

Maruf had moved to South Africa in search of a livelihood and had been running a business there for more than 14 years.

His relatives said a local group had been demanding 500 South African rand every month to allow him to operate his business in the ar...