Verulam community still in fear days after mosque attack
There is a heightened sense of fear within the Verulam community, north of Durban, following the horror attack at the Imam Hussain Mosque.
The incident has been labelled a ‘terror attack’ by many. The Hawks have gone as far as to say there was a level of extremism attached to the incident in Ottawa’s Old Main Road on Thursday afternoon.
Three suspects stormed the mosque and attacked three people leaving them with severe knife wounds. 34-year-old Abbas Essop died in hospital as a result of his injuries. A library was also set alight at the mosque.
This relative of Essop’s says he also ran a workshop from her property nearby.
ALSO READ: LISTEN: Verulam mosque attack survivor speaks
"We are so shocked at that someone can just come and slit your throat. They came with only one intention - to kill. It was really traumatic and we did not know how to react because he was bleeding so much. It is really sad," she said.
Meanwhile, mosque leaders are hoping activities will continue there as normal from today. Moulana Aftab Haider is from the Ahlul Bait Foundation.
"Mosque activities will continue. As forensic experts were busy working in the mosque since it is a crime scene we could not pray on Friday, so we prayed in one of the houses next door.
NOW READ: Search for 3 suspects in Verulam mosque attack
"However as soon as the mosque has been handed over after investigations we will clean it and all normal activity will continue. We have informed all security agencies in the country and the city to be on the guard and we have also taken all necessary precautions," Haider said.