Faizel Patel, 2016-07-13
Independent advocacy organisation Cage Africa says one of the twin brothers arrested for alleged terrorist activities was not absent from work but on leave.
Twins Brandon-Lee Thulsie and Toni-Lee who have adopted the names Yaqeen and Salahuddin were arrested by the Hawks over the weekend for allegedly plotting to bomb an American mission as well as Jewish cultural sites in South Africa.
In a statement Cage Africa says the manner in which Sallahuddin and Yakeen were arrested undermines their due process rights.
It says it hopes this is not a manifestation of anti-Muslim sentiment within the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
According to statements made to CAGE Africa, after raiding the one-bedroomed house where Salahuddin resides with his mother Wasiela Thulsie, a police officer mocked the Qu’ran in a disgracefully excessive response lacking in professionalism but also stoking tensions.
Spokesperson Karen Jayes the behaviour of the Hawks was unfortunate as it demonstrates a violation of Muslim property and belief and such an approach will only isolate Muslims and sow the seeds of division.
She says Sallahuddin was not missing from work for two weeks as reported.
“He had taken legitimate leave for illness for three days, and the remaining ten days he was in ‘itikaaf, the traditional spiritual retreat in the last ten days of Ramadaan, where men reside at the mosque.”
Jayes says the family is in shock and devastated by the arrests of the twins.
“His sister has refuted that Sallahuddin was harbouring explosives, saying it is impossible. She reiterates that he has never held a gun in his life. He is also the breadwinner for the family, and supports his mother – which makes his continued detention a source of severe stress.”
CAGE Africa says it {jcomments off}supports the family and calls for calm, justice and the rule of law to prevail, not least of all for the assumption of innocent until proven guilty to apply.
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