Johannesburg - Four alleged terror suspects were arrested in several anti-terrorism raids across Gauteng this weekend.
Among those arrested were a couple whose lawyer is arguing that the stun grenade and 21 bullets found in their home belonged to the Community Policing Forum.
The husband, said attorney Yousha Tayob, had simply forgotten to return the property when he quit as a CPF member.
“The husband is a former member of the Community Policing Forum in the area and although they were supposed to return the items, he didn't and they were both arrested for having such items in their possession,” said Tayob.
Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the couple and two other people, aged 20 and 24, were arrested following protracted investigations by the Hawks and State Security of possible terror-related activities in the Joburg area.
“They were arrested in a joint operation by the Hawks, the National Intervention Unit, bomb squad and other law enforcement agencies,” he said.
The anti-terror raids took place in Newclare and Azaadville, west of Joburg.
“Four suspects were identified after they attempted to travel to Syria in 2015. They were refused a flight by an international airline after the airline was informed of their intentions,” he explained.
On Saturday, members of the Hawks swooped on their locations, where several items including a stun grenade, 21 rounds of ammunition, computers, documents, cellphones and even matric textbooks were seized.
According to Tayob, the warrants were issued under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorism Act.
He said the Hawks had used some force to gain entry into both properties but had conducted the raids in “a decent manner”.
“Initially, both families thought their homes were being broken into, but once the search started there was no aggression as both families co-operated with authorities appropriately.
“Unfortunately the couple are facing charges which fall under Schedule 5 offences, which are considered serious. A formal bail application has to be made for them to be released,” he said.
During the first Azaadville raid, no arrests were made but there were several youngsters in the house whose laptops, computers, SIM cards and cellphones were confiscated during the police search and seizure.
“Matric textbooks belonging to one of the youngsters were also confiscated. We're fighting to try and get those back as he needs to study,” Tayob said.
He reckoned the electronic equipment was seized to establish some link to terrorism but denied that either family had links to terrorist groups.
“They are not actively involved in any way or form in recruiting or supporting terrorism,” he said.
The head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, said the arrest of the four was “a big step forward in the fight against terrorism”.
Ntlemeza said law enforcement would remain on high alert to make sure “we safeguard our citizenry and residents alike”.
All four are expected to appear in court on Monday morning.
Two will appear at the Joburg Magistrate's Court on terrorism-related charges, while the couple will appear at Kagiso Magistrate's Court on firearms and explosives-related charges.
@Lanc_02
The Star