Moulana gunned down
THE close-knit Muslim community of Roshnee, in Vereeniging, Gauteng, is reeling from the mystery murder of a respected moulana, gunned down driving in Walkerville.
The Islamic scholar, Moulana Mumtazul Haq, 64, was on his way to Vereeniging last Tuesday when gunmen sprayed his car with bullets to force him to pull off to the side.
“The moulana was found in his Nissan Almera on the R82 by a passer-by, who alerted police,” said SAPS spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo.
“Police found that he had been shot several times in his upper body. Paramedics were called and he was pronounced dead.”
Masondo added the suspects were still at large. The motive for the murder is unknown.
Police reservist Shiraz Mongal, who was called to the scene, described it as “gruesome”.
It has been alleged Haq was followed from a meeting he had at the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (Jusa) offices in Johannesburg that morning.
“Information gathered so far points to the possibility that the suspects may have seen the moulana place a black bag in the boot of his car,” said Mongal.
“Assuming it was cash, the suspects may have followed him. They fired more than 30 rounds of ammunition at his car. He lost control and crashed. “He was shot about nine times in his upper body.”
Mongal said when he got to the scene, Haq was seated in his car with his seat belt still on. He said Haq’s black bag was taken from the boot.
Mongal, who knew the father of six, said he was a righteous community leader.
“Tragedy struck moulana’s family twice the day he died – his daughter-in-law, her two sons and her father were on their way up from Pinetown (Durban) for the funeral when they were in a car accident. The daughter-in-law is in a coma. One son, 9, received a hip operation, and the other, 7, broke his hand. Her father is making a full recovery.”
The secretary general of Jusa, Moulana Ebrahim Bham, said he and Haq had had tea at 9am, hours before he was killed. Haq was a teacher at Jusa’s Institute of Higher Learning in Roshnee.
Bham said he was told a black bag the moulana carried with him that day was taken. He said he often carried the bag, which contained Islamic literature.
“He was an Islamic academic and was respected and loved by his community and students. He did not court controversy. He was a good man, who loved teaching his students about Islam.
“Moulana was a fatherly figure and provided invaluable support to both teachers and students. His death has left an irreplaceable void within the ranks of Ulama in South Africa and abroad.”
Bham said in 1979, Haq and his brother, Moulana Mansurul Haq, were sent to South Africa from Pakistan to teach the Qur’an and Hadith by the Islamic scholar, Moulana Yusuf Binnori.
Haq will best be remembered as an Arabic linguist par excellence, who inspired his students through his stirring poetry, said Bham.
“His ability to unravel the intricacies and complex phrases of Arabic poetry was a feat few scholars could match.
“Sometimes he would offer his advice and wisdom, especially when complex decisions needed to be taken. The sun has forever set for those who were guided by his brilliant light, knowledge and wisdom.”
The suspects are believed to have been driving a white Mercedes-Benz.