Cape Town - Tears of disbelief flowed in Bishop Lavis over the weekend when a popular delivery man was knifed to death by thieves who stole his cellphone.
Colleagues of Misheck Sambani, 34, said they were left devastated when called to the scene on Friday morning after he had been stabbed in the neck while making a delivery.
The owners of Azhaar Fisheries and Takeaways, Kulsum Salie and Mudassir Chikate, said they immediately closed their doors and informed his family of what had happened.
Salie said Sambani had been attacked many times since they opened four years ago, but his dedication saw him take to the dangerous streets of Bishop Lavis and Valhalla Park for the love of his customers.
“He started when we started four years ago and he was the face of Azhar.
“The entire community loved him because of his friendly nature and his dedication. Even if their food arrived cold, they would not complain because they loved Misheck.”
On Friday morning, the father of one was delivering a gatsby in Valhalla Park, shortly before 10am, when he was robbed and stabbed in the neck.
“The customer called to say what happened and we went immediately and we could see he was stabbed in the neck – and all for a cellphone.
“We are broken. He came all the way from Malawi to come and work here for his family and even where he lived in Heideveld he was the sole breadwinner. He was more than an employee, he was part of our family and they took more than just a cellphone, they took away a precious life and a father,” said Salie.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi confirmed the incident.
“Bishop Lavis detectives are hard at work following up on information in a bid to apprehend the suspects, who are responsible for stabbing a Malawian foreign national in Tafelberg Road, Bishop Lavis, on Friday.
“According to reports, the victim was doing deliveries and was on his way to Shirley Road when two unidentified males stopped and robbed him.
“As the victim resisted, one of the men stabbed him with a sharp object.
“The victim sustained a fatal injury and was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel.
“The suspects fled the scene with the victim’s motorcycle into nearby Valhalla Park and they are yet to be arrested. The motive for this attack was robbery. Bishop Lavis police are investigating a murder,” said Swartbooi.
Chikate said that staff had erected a cross at the murder scene and would this Saturday host a memorial service as Sambani was laid to rest in Malawi.
“He was like a brother, and so humble,” Chikate said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
mahira.duval@inl.co.za
Cape Argus