Robbers kill dental boss
|Published
TRAGIC: Dentist practice manager Rashid Halday, 56, shot dead at surgery in Lingelethu-West TRAGIC: Dentist practice manager Rashid Halday, 56, shot dead at surgery in Lingelethu-West
The husband of a well-known Cape Flats dentist has died in hospital after being shot in the head during a robbery at their practice in Khayelitsha on Monday.
According to police, Rashid Halday, 56, and Dr. Camillah Bayat were at their practice in Ntlazane Street, Lingelethu-West, when two armed men overpowered the security guard outside the premises at 4pm.
They took the gate keys and forced the guard into one of the rooms where they locked him up.
The guard told police he heard three shots being fired.
Halday, who was the
manager of the practice, was shot in the head and rushed to hospital but died from his injuries.
TRAGIC: Dentist practice manager Rashid Halday, 56, shot dead at surgery in Lingelethu-West
Police spokesman, Captain FC van Wyk, confirmed the incident: “A case of murder and business robbery have been opened for investigation following a shooting that occurred on Monday after 4pm in Ntlazane Street, Lingelethu-West, Khayelitsha.
“According to reports, two unknown suspects entered the business premises.
“The one male was positively armed with a firearm, threatened the security guard and instructed him to get inside the building.
“They took the gate keys and forced the security guard into one of the rooms.”
The guard told cops when he finally managed to escape, he discovered (Halday) shot in the head and the suspects were gone.
“The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for medical assistance, where he later died due to injuries sustained.
“Circumstances surrounding the victim being shot at are unknown at this stage.”
SCENE: Dental surgery in Khayelitsha
Van Wyk said they are also still trying to establish
what the killers took from the surgery.
It is not clear whether Dr. Bayat was injured.
ANC MP Faiez Jacobs expressed shock and outrage at the death of Halday.
The family was well known for their work in poor communities, and had four practices in Nyanga, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha.
“He comes from a family of prominent medical practitioners who over years saw the need to render a much-needed medical service to the most depressed and impoverished communities on the Cape Flats,” said Jacobs.
CONFIRM: SAPS' Van Wyk
The Daily Voice attempted to contact the family but they did not respond to queries.
Halday’s janaazah will take place today at 4pm from the family home in Sandown Road, Rondebosch.
Anyone with any information about the murder and robbery is requested to contact Lingelethu West SAPS on 021 360 2267 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.