Mosque attack could indicate future terrorism in SA

TALI FEINBERG

“They killed people in the most horrible way by cutting their throats… this is a hallmark of ISIS,” he continued in an interview with the Sunday Times. He added that there had been a steady rise of hate directed at the Shia denomination of the Islamic community in South Africa.

The attack left one man dead and two others seriously injured. The attackers were seen lingering outside the mosque for about 30 minutes before the attack. They entered the premises and began shouting that they were going to kill people.

The man who died, Abbas Essop, had entered the mosque after he heard screams. His mouth was taped shut and his throat was slit. The other two men were stabbed. The library of the mosque was also petrol bombed during the attack. On Sunday evening, a device resembling a bomb was found under the chair of the Imam, and worshippers were evacuated.

The Hawks, who have taken over the investigation, confirmed that there were elements of extremism in the attack. The same team was responsible for arresting alleged ISIS supporters Sayfydeen Aslam Del Vecchio and his wife, Fatima Patel, in February in connection with the murder of Rod and Rachel Saunders, British botanists who had been exploring the area near the Bivane Dam in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal.

Jevon Greenblatt, head of the Community Security Organisation (CSO), said the attack is significant to South Africa as a country and to the Jewish community. “The fact that individuals or groups have the means and intent to carry out such an attack could be an indication of more attacks that are planned or will be perpetrated in the near future,” he told SA Jewish Report.

Saying the CSO had instructed its teams to increase the level of security at all facilities, Greenblatt has urged community members to remain vigilant. “Security is not a knee-jerk reaction, but rather, a long-term strategy and obligation on all individuals and communal facilities. We have been working for many years to put the right systems and processes in place and will continue to build the security of our community.”

Following the mosque attack, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) said in a statement: “The SAJBD condemns in the strongest possible terms the attack in a mosque in KwaZulu-Natal. Places of worship should always provide a safe space and its sanctity should be respected. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this horrific attack and with the South African Muslim community.”

Speaking on eNCA News, the SAJBD’s Zev Krengel said: “Unfortunately for the Jewish community, we know this too well – there have been terrorist attacks on synagogues in Europe, so we have security. Unfortunately, now churches and mosques are going to have to look at it as well. For me it’s sad as a South African as we’ve always felt safe in our worship institutions.”

He added that SAJBD president Mary Kluk has visited the mosque in a show of solidarity and emphasised that South African society has to hold strong and continue building a cohesive society. “We need to allow authorities to investigate and track down the perpetrators. We cannot allow them to upset our coexistence and we must form a unified force across religious lines,” said Krengel.

Minister of Police Bheki Cele visited the site on Sunday and promised that police will do whatever is necessary to find the perpetrators.