Attack on Durban mosque widely condemned

The attack on a mosque in Verulam‚ north of Durban‚ has been widely condemned‚ with organisations calling for a speedy investigation into the matter.

One man was killed and two others were critically injured in the attack‚ in which three men stormed the building shortly after afternoon prayers on Thursday.

Parliament’s portfolio committee on police described the incident as shocking.

“The South African Police Service must prioritise the investigation‚” said the committee’s chairperson Francois Beukman.

“A mosque is a religious institution‚ and South Africa’s Constitution guarantees and protects the right to religious practices‚” he said.

“This kind of attack on three innocent people is totally unjustified. We want our communities to live in harmony‚ practising their religions without fear.”

The Democratic Alliance also condemned the attack.

“The DA calls on the SAPS to find the criminals responsible for this atrocious act and bring them to book. We also call for a speedy investigation in order to get to the bottom of this attack. Such heinous attacks at places of worship have no place in a democratic society‚” said the party’s national spokesperson Refiloe Nt'sekhe.

“Christians of South Africa (Cosa) condemn in all possible terms the horrific mosque attack in KwaZulu-Natal ... Any attack on mosques and or places of worship is a barbaric act of cowards that must be met with the equal force it deserves‚” the organisation said in a statement.

“We will continue to pray for peace‚ justice and tolerance in the country. While praying for the soul of the departed to rest in peace‚ the party consoles the Muslim community in South Africa and the families of the Verulam attack victims.

“The country is in decay and such attacks without imminent arrests signals the collapse of the law and order. Only a Christ centred government can remedy the situation.”