Man killed while shielding colleagues

A Durban accountant who came to the aid of his employees during an attempted armed robbery was shot dead.

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Durban - An accountant who came to the aid of his employees during an attempted armed robbery was shot dead in his offices in Morningside on Monday.

Bystanders and staff said three well-dressed men walked into the Royal Travel premises, in Problem Mkhize (Cowey) Road at 7.45am.

Two women members of staff were on duty with the accountant, Hoosen Dhoda.

It is believed that a staff member on the upper floor saw the men enter and thought they were customers. When she saw the firearm she screamed.

Dhoda entered the office and is believed to have tried to disarm one of the men. He was shot dead in the scuffle.

The men left without taking anything.

The premises was closed off while police detectives combed the scene and viewed CCTV footage.

Dhoda, who was divorced and leaves behind a son, would have turned 47 in a week's time.

His cousin, Bilal Dhoda, said Hoosen had worked at Royal Travel for 20 years.

Bilal said: "There were just a few people in the office. "They first came by the women. He shielded them. He got shot in chest.

"He was the senior accountant. He had one child. He was a well-liked person who had a good relationship with clients.

"He was basically a workaholic," said Bilal. "He was always the first one in and last one to leave."

Bilal said he had been on his way to work when he was told the devastating news.

Relatives and family were at the scene this morning.

Daily News