'Bomb' removed from Verulam mosque for further analysis
A device believed to be a bomb has been removed from the Imam Hussain Mosque near Verulam, north of Durban.
The device was found underneath the moulana's chair at about 7pm last night.
The building in Ottawa's Old Main Road and surrounding houses had to be evacuated while authorities processed the scene.
It is understood a young man working with electronics in the mosque found the device, which has been described as a capsule or pipe with two wires connected to a cellphone.
It was moved outside the mosque before authorities were contacted.
Reaction Unit South Africa was first at the scene.
NOW READ: Verulam community still in fear days after mosque attack
Together with officers of the local police station, they immediately evacuated the mosque and the surrounding homes.
The Explosives Unit then arrived at about 8pm, but the process of trying to identify the device using a high-tech X-Ray machine took several hours.
The building in Ottawa's Old Main Road and surrounding houses had to be evacuated while authorities processed the scene.
It is understood a young man working with electronics in the mosque found the device, which has been described as a capsule or pipe with two wires connected to a cellphone.
It was moved outside the mosque before authorities were contacted.
Reaction Unit South Africa was first at the scene.
NOW READ: Verulam community still in fear days after mosque attack
Together with officers of the local police station, they immediately evacuated the mosque and the surrounding homes.
The Explosives Unit then arrived at about 8pm, but the process of trying to identify the device using a high-tech X-Ray machine took several hours.
It was not until around midnight that the scene was eventually cleared.
We understand the device has been removed from the mosque & that residents will be allowed to re-enter their homes shortly. #mosquebomb @ECR_Newswatch
— Bernadette Wolhuter (@bernwolhuter) May 13, 2018
It is understood the device, while not yet confirmed a bomb, was removed from the premises for further analysis.
Last night's discovery comes just four days after Abbas Essop was killed in a knife attack on the premises.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Verulam mosque attack survivor speaks
Last night's discovery comes just four days after Abbas Essop was killed in a knife attack on the premises.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Verulam mosque attack survivor speaks
Two other people were hurt in that attack.