Muslim major gets relief

Details of interim relief for South African Defence Force (SANDF) Major Fatima Isaacs, a Muslim is embroiled in a military court battle over her refusal to remove her headscarf (hijab), will be made public soon, according to SANDF spokesperson Brigadier-General Mafi Mgobozi.

The interim relief is something the SANDF and Military Command Council (MCC) agreed to implement while they revisit the dress code policy.

However, the Muslim Judicial Council first has to be consulted before details can be made public.

Mgobozi also revealed that Isaacs was still in the SANDF’s service but would not be drawn into whether there was a breakdown in relations.

“Whatever is decided on will have no bearing on the current court proceedings as courts have their own procedures which they follow,” Mgobozi said.

“Let us not pre-empt the outcomes of the court case. Let us wait for the outcome, and we will take it from there.”

In the military court proceedings in Cape Town, Isaacs is accused of “wilful defiance and disobeying a lawful command”.

Isaacs appeared in court at the Castle of Good Hope yesterday and informed the senior military judge that she had changed her legal representation and would need more time to consult.

Her legal advisor, Nazeema Mohamed, said they would explore various legal options to take the case further, including the Equality Court and Constitutional Court.

The matter will return to the military court on November 6 and has been set down for two days.

– News24 Wire

Let us not pre-empt the outcomes of the court case. Let us wait for the outcome, and we will take it from there.