Two Bangladeshi nationals were shot dead by unidentified assailants in separate incidents in South Africa within 24 hours, raising fresh concerns over the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates in the country.

The latest victim, Belal Hossain Sumon, 34, a Bangladeshi businessman from Noakhali, was shot dead inside his business establishment in Johannesburg around 3:00 pm (local time) on Wednesday, according to his family.

Sumon was the son of the late Abdul Wadud of Mahajan Bari in Ward No. 4 of Mirwarishpur Union under Begumganj upazila of Noakhali.

Family members said Sumon had been living in South Africa for several years and was the sole breadwinner of his family. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Earlier, at around 6:00 pm (local time) on Tuesday, another Bangladeshi expatriate from Noakhali, Md Yasin Arafat, 38, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in front of his home in Port Elizabeth.

He died on the spot.

His five-year-old daughter, Farhana, also sustained gunshot injuries. She is undergoing treatment at a local hospital and remains in critical condition.

Arafat was buried in South Africa on Wednesday afternoon.

The two killings within 24 hours have sparked concern among Bangladeshi expatriate families in Noakhali over the safety of their relatives living in South Africa.

The families of the victims and local residents urged the Bangladesh government to take up the matter with the South African authorities through diplomatic channels.

They also demanded a proper investigation into the killings, the swift arrest of those responsible and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.