Faizel Patel – 06/04/2021

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)

Senior Researcher at the Africa Desk of the Media Review Network Dr. Mustafa Mheta says allegations by the institute of Security Studies (ISS)  regarding the situation in northern Mozambique requires substantiation.

Mheta was speaking to Radio Islam about the ISS’ claim that the unrest in Cabo Delgado is linked to Islam and Muslims from South Africa.

Mehta says the allegations by ISS that about ten South African Muslims have joined what they refer to as “Islamist terrorists” is lacks substantive detail.

He says the obvious question that arises is who are these so-called South African Muslims?

“We want the evidence. This is a very dangerous situation where you make such allegations, please substantiate what you are saying. Any responsible and respectable NGO, especially one that deals with sensitive subjects of security needs to be extremely careful lest its allegations raise undue fear and alarm.”

Mehta says the ISS’s is regurgitating the old  rhetoric of ISIS training camps and cells in South Africa.

“They are recycling that again that there are ISIS camps dotted all over the country where ISIS is training these Muslims, giving them military training to go and fight for ISIS. Where are these camps? That’s the question we are asking, where are these?”

Mehta says if ISS has evidence of the ISIS training camps, cells and even Muslims involved in terrorist activities, they should approach the security services with the information at their disposal.

He says ISIS is doing a disservice to the Muslims of South Africa.

“These kind of allegations equip Islamophobic sentiments against Muslims. The Muslims in this country live very well with other people, they live very well.”

Mehta also shared news about  Egypt threatening Ethiopia after insisting on filling up the controversial Renaissance Dam.

Listen to the Africa Report with Dr. Mustafa Mheta