High alert for Muslim prayer time
Home invasion leaves women feeling ‘vulnerable’
THE MUSLIM community will beef up its home security and remain on high alert for possible criminal activity during Ramadaan when the men go to mosque for prayers, leaving women vulnerable at home.
This is after an attack in Sydenham on Thursday night, when armed men burst into a home while the family was performing tarawee (prayers).
While a spokesperson for the family said they did not want to be named, he confirmed that a family member was shot and injured while protecting them when the gunmen burst in.
“We are not sure if there were three or four men, but he fought them off single-handedly. He is in hospital.
“As the men are normally at the mosque at that time during Ramadaan, we believe the criminals thought the women were at home alone,” said the spokesperson.
He did not want to reveal any further details of the incident, as the family had yet to make a police statement and had been advised the investigating officer would be back on Monday.
The assailants allegedly fled in a GTi Polo.
Sydenham Community Police Forum communications officer, Satish Dhupelia said last night that notices had been sent out at their local mosque yesterday to warn the community to be on the alert.
Sydenham CPF covers Clare Estate, Reservoir Hills, Sherwood, Sparks Estate and Springfield Business Park.
Dhupelia confirmed they had heard about the armed gang invading the Sydenham home and that the injured man is an active CPF member.
“We commend him on his bravery in protecting his family. It is a very serious incident and we are relieved he was not killed,” said Dhupelia.
“I understand that the Muslim community is feeling targeted. At our mosque today, we sent out notices to get more security and to be on the alert. The criminals are heavily armed and the civilian population is not.
“Prior to Ramadaan, some of our Muslim community members have also been hijacked in the early morning when they go to the mosque.
“The norms set by police are outdated and antiquated, we need more police resources. “There are 24 informal settlements around this area and due to recent protests, police resources at the station have become strained,” he said.
Chief trustee of the Juma Masjid Mosque in Dr Yusuf Dadoo (Grey) Street, AV Mohamed said he was shocked to hear of the horrifying invasion, “the general perception is that the females at home have become soft targets. The criminals are fully aware as to the fasting of Ramadaan when the men go to prayers.
“No attack takes place on the spur of the moment, it is well planned and the criminals are aware of the victims’ movements.
“People are also afraid of being targeted if they report a crime as the justice system and police system take too long. We have to have a change in our laws, it takes too long for a case to get to court. To open a docket is putting your life at risk,” said Mohamed.
Yesterday, SAPS spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel, Thulani Zwane said there was no record of the incident, but added, “Policing members have been deployed on a 24-hour basis.”