Earlier attack still a puzzle

Mystery still shrouds last month’s attack on the Imam Hussain Mosque in Verulam, north of Durban.

Hawks spokesman Simphiwe Mhlongo said they were following good leads. “We need to be sure of ourselves and we want to build a solid case before we go to court,” he said.

Briefing parliament’s police committee on Wednesday, national police commissioner Khehla Sitole said the investigation into the knife and bomb attack was at a sensitive stage.

Abbas Essop, a mechanic, ran into the mosque after three knifewielding men stormed the building after midday prayers. The men also attacked caretaker and muezzin Muhammad Ali and Moulana Ali Nchinyane with knives before torching the library.

Essop, whose throat was slit, died in hospital.