America’s Treasury Department has sanctioned four men based in South Africa who are playing a role in getting financial aid for the terror group known as Islamic State (ISIS), using South African banks. Among the four ISIS financial facilitators two are South African citizens, one is from Ethiopia and the other one is from Tanzania.
One of the men on the department’s list had been charged with a terror related offence, but the charge was dropped. The US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) gave the names of the four South African based ISIS members.
The four South African members of the terror group (ISIS) were sanctioned on Tuesday 1 March 2022, which means that the four men cannot do any business with the United States of America. According to a statement on sanctions, it is revealed that ISIS has been trying to expand its operations in countries where there is limited government control.
ISIS invasions have been very evident in Mozambique with South Africa be called to intervene in the crisis. “ISIS branches in Africa rely on local fundraising schemes such as theft, extortion of local populations, and kidnapping for ransoms, as well as financial support from the ISIS hierarchy.”
Also read: Father files lawsuit after teacher cut child’s hair
There have been growing threats for ISIS attacking South Africa and in November 2021 president Cyril Ramaphosa warned that the Islamic State terror group which was attacking Uganda and Mozambique could change its attention and attack South Africa.
The four ISIS members sanctioned by the US are listed as follows:
- Farhad Hoomer aged 46, (South African) – he established an ISIS cell in Durban and was once arrested on a terror related charge and got released.
- Siraaj Miller aged 45, (South African) – he is the leader of ISIS fanatics in Cape Town.
- Abdella Hussein Abadigga, a 48-year-old man from Ethiopia who recruited South African men and took them for training at an ISIS camp.
- Peter Charles Mbaga aged 46, is originally from Tanzania and has been facilitating the funds from South Africa.
Source: Daily Maverick, News24, The Citizen, image from Daily Maverick
