Faizel Patel, 2016-07-22
Nine South Africans Muslims from Cape Town have been deported from Namibia for allegedly engaging in “religious work” despite entering the country on visitors permits.
“The Namibian” newspapers is the Muslims were accused of breaching the conditions of their stay after immigration officials arrested them while they were performing their daily prayers at a Keetmanshoop mosque this week.
Namibian Islamic Judicial Council (NIJC) head Sheikh Desmond Dawid Tjipanga says he believes the group was placed under surveillance by police and officials from the Department of Immigration upon entering the country through the Ariamsvlei/Nakop border post.
“They (immigration officials) demanded permits which allowed the group to undertake religious activities. The group could not provide what was demanded and they were arrested and subsequently deported.”
Tjipanga says the arrest of the group, which was in the country to “strengthen the brotherhood with fellow Muslims”, was a clear act of discrimination against Muslims because their faith is anchored on daily prayers, even while on holiday.
Keetmanshoop head of the Immigration Directorate, Patrick Ntupi, confirmed the deportation of the South Africans but declined to give reasons for it.
He says the group was handed over to South African officials at the Nakop border post.
– Agencies
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