A PRESS STATEMENT

 

The Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) welcomes the granting of bail to Ziyadh Hoorzook, a Johannesburg-based man who was taken into police custody under allegations of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.

 

The accused who was arrested at his home in Johannesburg early this month, appeared today in Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court, in the North West, in his bid for release on bail. He is said to have transferred crypto-currency, to the tune of R11,500.00 which made its way to a designated “terror” organisation, in Syria.

 

As a representative Muslim body, JUSA is concerned that Mr Hoorzook’s case smacks of persecution of an individual, based on a donation of a modest sum of money, relative to funds which leave these shores, to benefit a state which by several measures, exercises terror on civilian Palestinian population, without consequence.

 

From the moment this matter got media attention, the usual voices from the country’s “security think-tanks” jumped on the story in order to amplify their narratives that South Africa either ignores the risks, or shies away from prosecuting terrorism-related cases. We have seen over the years, how such “expert” views almost exclusively focus on what they call “Muslim terror threats” . We consider this as a concerted effort to silence and marginalise Muslims, as they stand in solidarity with some of the most oppressed of humanity, around the world.

 

JUSA’s apprehension extends to the arbitrary designation of charitable non-state entities as “terror” organisations that is apparently the basis of the prosecution. It is a development that disadvantages, scares and discourages Muslims from supporting legitimate causes, which is a matter of religious duty towards those in need. In itself, it is a denial of religious freedom and expression, as enshrined in the Constitution.

 

South Africans know too well that those who are given the “terrorist” tag by the imperial powers, are most often groups and individuals whose “crime” is the advocacy for, and assertion of self-determination, freedom and dignity.

 

We appeal to the South African authorities to be even-handed and not victimise individuals whose only misdeed is giving expression to their faith, through acts of charity extended to those in need.

 

Released by:

 

The Executive Committee
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa

28 Rajab 1446/ 28 January 2025