The family of a butchery manager have been left devastated after the brutal and cold-blooded killing of their father and husband during a brazen armed robbery of a meat market in Phoenix Industrial Park, outside Durban, yesterday morning.

Riyas Kafoor (33), an immigrant from Sri Lanka and father of two daughters, lived in Stonebridge for the past 12 years.

Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) spokesperson Prem Balram said: “Members were called out to the scene and upon arrival, it was established that two robbery suspects entered the store and produced firearms. The manager allegedly resisted when he was shot in the head. The suspects fled empty handed on foot in an unknown direction. A spent 9mm cartridge was recovered in the store.”

Phoenix SAPS spokesperson Captain Louise Naidoo added: “It is alleged by a witness that the deceased and about nine other staff members were on duty in the shop when three young men entered the store on the pretext of purchasing stuff. The manager was behind the counter at the butchery. One suspect left the store and went outside while the other two within the store drew firearms and cocked them. One stood at the entrance while the shortest jumped onto the counter, with the firearm pointed at the manager.”

She continued: “The manager then raised his arms and attempted to grapple with the suspect. A shot went off striking the manager, who fell. The suspect then jumped on the floor and attempted to open the cash register unsuccessfully. He then grabbed the wallet from the manager and both suspects walked out of the store towards the main gate. Nothing was taken from the other staff members. The guard at the entrance of the complex attempted to close the gate but the third suspect pointed his firearm at him and the guard decided to open the gate. The suspects fled towards Bester. The motive appears to be robbery.”

Several staff members in the store, who witnessed the drama unfold, described the suspects to the police. Video footage was made available and downloaded by the investigating police officers. Kafoor’s neighbour, Rashina Mosa described him as a peace-loving and jovial man.

She said: “He loved his family and whenever we saw him, he respectfully greeted us with a smile. It is just tragic that a young life has been lost in this manner, leaving behind a beautiful family. We hope that the perpetrators are found.”

A close friend and colleague of Kafoor, who preferred to remain anonymous, added: “He was an honest man, who would not hurt a fly. If they wanted to rob the store, then why did they have to take a life too? I think Kafoor may have also thought of the safety of all the staff members, who were with him when the incident happened. I feel so heartsore for his wife and children because this morning was the last time they ever saw him alive. It will take me a long time to get the image of his body lying on the floor out of my head.”