Hawks take on probe into Verulam deadly mosque attack
The Hawks believe there was an element of extremism attached to the violent attack on a mosque in Verulam - north of Durban.
Three knife-wielding men stormed the Imam Hussain Mosque on Ottawa's Old Main Road after a prayer yesterday afternoon.
They attacked three people before setting a library on fire and fleeing the scene.
KZN Hawks' spokesperson, Simphiwe Mhlongo says they will now head the investigation.
"What I can say is that there were elements of extremism that were noticed by the Hawks members when they arrived at the crime scene yesterday. The authorities deemed it necessary for the Hawks to take over so that they can thoroughly investigate until the suspects are apprehended," Mhlongo said.
Mhlongo would not comment on allegations that the assailants were Egyptian nationals. He says they will only be able to confirm the suspects' nationalist once they have been arrested.
The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa says it's horrified by the attack.
The council says yesterday's attack was the first of its kind at a South African mosque.
One man was killed and two others hurt after knife-wielding assailants stormed the Imam Hussain Mosque in Ottawa's Old Main Road.
The suspects then set a library on fire and fled the scene.
The council's Shaykh Isjaak Taliep says mosques are a sacred place that should be protected.
"It's a heinous crime committed against that particular community and those individuals. In terms of the Islamic teachings, it's very clear that life is extremely sacred and we are shocked and horrified that this happened. It's a first for something of that nature to happen at any mosque in South Africa since Muslims have been in South Africa for more than 300 years," Taliep said.
Meanwhile, one of the two men who survived the knife attack has been discharged from hospital.
For more coverage on this story, click here - UPDATE: One killed in Verulam mosque attack.