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The Verulam Family Court, north of Durban has linked eleven suspects to the terror organization ISIS.

As the bail application continues today 24 October 2018, the state presented its arguments, in opposing bail. The accused are linked to a spate of bomb scares at retail stores, and the Verulam mosque attack in May this year.

They are facing charges of murder, attempted murder, arson, extortion and terrorism and offences relating to explosive devices. Last week, charges were provisionally withdrawn against seven of the initial 19 accused.

Details of extortion plots‚ a training facility and a manual with step by step instructions detailing how to make bombs and carry out home assassinations were among chilling details revealed in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday as central elements of a syndicate with alleged links to terror group Isis.

It emerged that a group of men accused of a string of urban terror attacks allegedly tried to extort $100‚000 (R1.4-million) from various businesses in and around Durban to carry out Isis activity.

Magistrate Irfaan Khali heard that the 11 men were allegedly following an Isis newsletter that called for non-believers to be threatened and defrauded.

In his affidavit opposing the bail application of the 11 men‚ investigating officer Kwezi Chonco said a manual on how to make bombs‚ carry out home assassinations and Isis propaganda‚ including eight flags‚ were found at 8 Nugget Road in Reservoir Hills‚ Durban.

The home is owned by Farhad Hoomer‚ the alleged ring leader of the group of men‚ some of whom are illegal immigrants from Tanzania. According to Chonco‚ the home was a training facility to support ISIS activity.

Hoomer is the kingpin of the ISIS cell in Durbn

“The first applicant (Hoomer) was identified as a leader of the group. The other applicants followed his instructions and turned to him for advice.

“According to information received‚ the house at 8 Nugget Road was utilised as a training facility‚” Chonco said in court papers.

The state alleges that the men targeted three businesses and demanded that each owner pay them $100‚000 via Dubai. If they refused to pay‚ their businesses would be set alight.

Chonco claimed that the men also tried to extort $100‚000 from a Tanzanian man they had kidnapped and held captive for several weeks. He was rescued from 8 Nugget Road during a raid by members of the Hawks.

Chonco said the case against Hoomer‚ Ahmed Haffejee‚ Thabit Mwenda‚ Mohamad Akbar‚ Seiph Mohamed‚ Amani Mayani‚ Abubakar Ali‚ Abbas Jooma‚ Mahammed Sobruin‚ Ndikumana Shabani and Iddy Omani was strong‚ with CCTV footage linking them to scenes where incendiary devices were planted at Woolworths stores across Durban.

Echo handsets‚ which are not commonly used‚ were allegedly found in their possession. These handsets are alleged to have detonated the incendiary devices‚ including the bomb at the Imam Hussain Mosque in Verulam.

R 100K bail for Haffejee

One accused – Goolam Haffejee – was granted bail of R100,000 ZAR last week.

Meanwhile, residents living near the mosque have expressed concern, indicating they feel unsafe and have many unanswered questions. Community activist Andisha Maharaj hopes the authorities will address their plight and act swiftly in helping residents allay their fears…

Listen to the Newsbreak report by Rachel Vadi here:

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Source inputs: TimesLIVE | Newsbreak Lotus FM