Device found at the Verulam mosque.
(Reaction Unit South Africa / Facebook)
Bail bid postponed for Durban’s alleged ISIS loyalists
The 11 men have had their bail bid postponed after a brief appearance before the court on Thursday afternoon.
Device found at the Verulam mosque.
(Reaction Unit South Africa / Facebook)
Suspects appearing before the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to a deadly mosque attack and connections to terrorist group ISIS will remain behind bars, for now.
According to a report by Times Live, the 11 men, which were arrested following an intense investigation by the Hawks, have had their bail bid postponed after a brief appearance before the court on Thursday afternoon.
Explosive evidence brought before the court, courtesy of investigating Officer Kwezi Chonco, revealed how a group of men allegedly used bombs and threats to extort money from Durban business owners. Even more worrying is the group’s connection to ISIS, which was uncovered during a raid on 8 Nugget Road in Reservoir Hills‚ Durban, by the Hawks.
Durban’s dubious ISIS connection
According to the investigating officer and state prosecutor, the home at 8 Nugget Road served as a terrorist training centre, complete with rudimentary dungeons and a host of ISIS paraphernalia. Instruction manuals on assassinations and bomb-building were also found at the residence.
Chonco explained what law enforcement found during its investigation and subsequent raid on the Durban home, which is owned by Farhad Hoomer, the alleged mastermind behind the attacks. Chonco explained:
“The first applicant (Hoomer) was identified as a leader of the group. The other applicants followed his instructions and turned to him for advice.
According to information received‚ the house at 8 Nugget Road was utilised as a training facility.”
A kidnapped Tanzanian businessman was discovered in the ‘dungeon’ of the home. It’s alleged that the group was holding the man hostage in the hopes of extorting ransom money. The man was freed and received medical attention.
The accused face charges of murder‚ attempted murder‚ arson‚ extortion and the violation of the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.
Deadly mosque attack labelled an act of terrorism
The suspects have been linked to the attack on the Imam Hussain Mosque in Verulam ‚ north of Durban‚ in May. During the attack, it’s alleged that the suspects killed Abbas Essop and planted a homemade bomb in the place of worship.
The accused have also been linked to a series of bomb threats which targeted Woolworths stores in Durban malls.
On Thursday, the accused, Farhad Hoomer‚ Ahmed Haffejee‚ Thabit Mwenda‚ Mohamad Akbar‚ Seiph Mohamed‚ Amani Mayani‚ Abubakar Ali‚ Abbas Jooma‚ Mahammed Sobruin‚ Ndikumana Shabani and Iddy Omani were sent back to their cells following an unsuccessful bail bid.
