No arrests in Muslim beard killing

AFP

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Magaliesburg, North West -

Police were “working around the clock” to track down the killers of a Muslim man in Magaliesburg in the North West this week.

So far, no arrests had been made in connection with the killing of 27-year-old Muhammad Fayaaz Kazi, said Brigadier Neville Malila on Friday.

“Police are working around the clock,” he said.

Kazi, from Ventersdorp, and his father's friend Anser Mahmood, were attacked at a Chicken Licken outlet in the town on Monday.

Mahmood said two white males made fun of Kazi's beard in Afrikaans and used a racial slur towards the duo.

Kazi, who understood Afrikaans, confronted the two men and a fight broke out. Both Kazi and his friend sustained a beating and the two white men fled the scene.

Kazi later died in Potchefstroom Hospital.

The killing has resulted in an outpouring of condolences, outrage and calls for the alleged killers to be arrested by politicians and activists.

On Friday, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation condemned the “racist killing” of Kazi in a statement.

Foundation executive director Neeshan Balton said it was an example of racial hatred in South Africa.

“This cruel and inhumane incident stemmed from disrespect and loathing of others on the basis of their skin colour and religion,” Balton said.

He said that while many onlookers urged the attack to stop, he said many present at the attack began heckling the two victims with religious and racial taunts, including local police officers.

“This abhorrent behaviour including those of local police units, certain reports show, allowed a man to die, and is detestable,” Balton said.

Malila could not be reached for a response to Balton's allegations. - Sapa