Verulam Mosque device confirmed to be a bomb: Hawks
The Hawks in KZN have confirmed that the device found at the Imam Hussain Mosque in Ottawa, near Verulam - north of Durban - last night was indeed a bomb.
The device was found under the moulana’s chair at around 7pm, prompting an evacuation of the area and the deployment of the Explosives Unit.
It was removed from the premises at around midnight for further analysis.
The Hawks met with specialists from the Explosives Unit who conducted the testing this morning.
"They said it is indeed an explosive device that is designed to burn. But it is their area of expertise. They will go into detail on what ingredients or chemicals that were used to assemble the explosive," spokesperson, Simphiwe Mhlongo said.
ALSO READ: 'Bomb' removed from Verulam mosque for further analysis
The discovery came just days after 34-year-old Abbas Essop was killed in a knife attack there on Thursday. Two other people were hurt in that attack.
The Hawks said last week's brazen attack showed "elements of extremism."
Find coverage on the initial story here - ‘Bomb’ found at Verulam mosque