A Mitchells Plain moulana claims a mufti who made headlines last month assaulted and tried to kidnap him.
Moulana Igshaan Abrahams, 35, the Ameer of Jamait tul Ulama Western Cape, says he was attacked on 7 February, allegedly by Mufti Ebrahim Smith and two others, because he had voided a fasagh (divorce) Smith had granted in December to another mufti’s wife.
Last month, Mufti Nazeem Bloomberg, 51, approached the Daily Voice to “expose” Smith, claiming the fasagh, which was granted on 11 December 2018, was invalid, and accused Smith of proposing to his wife before he gave the fasagh.
Abrahams claims Smith is a former gangster who cannot take no for an answer.
“I was at work when my neighbour called me saying someone had asked her to take a picture of me and my physical address,” says Abrahams.
“Because of Smith’s history, being a former member of the Yakkies gang, we all know him.
SCENE: Smith, alongside two others, hauled into police van
“I got home at 5.30pm and collected my son at the madrassah.”
He says he called Smith twice, but his phone was off and also sent him a text.
The father of five says he went to his neighbour and that’s when all hell broke loose.
“I left my car idling, my son was in the car. When I came out, Ebrahim, Mufti Abdul Kader Adams and Moulana Ebrahim Rawoot were in a vehicle.
“I greeted Adams who took my hand. As I extended my hand to Smith, he pulled me into the vehicle,” Abrahams claims.
“It seemed like they were trying to kidnap or hijack me and I managed to get out of their vehicle as half of my body was still on the outside. My son was witness to all of this.”
Abrahams claims the holy men then assaulted him.
“They started hitting me. Smith’s first blow was to my head with an open hand and they were hitting at the same time. Rawoot was more sympathetic and was trying to cool the situation by trying not to do anything. There was an exchange of vile words.”
Abrahams says his neighbour’s husband managed to defuse the situation, but as Smith left, he allegedly told him: “Jy, jou Newcastle jin***”, referring to the town where he studied.
Abrahams says he has opened a case with police, and Smit, Adams and Rawoot were arrested.
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk, confirmed: “Three males, age 42, 44 and 45, appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate's Court last Monday on a case of assault common.”
VICTIM: Igshaan Abrahams
Speaking to the Daily Voice on Sunday, Smith claims Abrahams hit him first.
“He harassed me via phone calls that day and sent me an SMS. I blocked his calls and WhatsApp messages.
“This comes after he slandered me on WhatsApp groups.
“On that day, as I was leaving the area, we saw him and pulled up.
“He greeted my driver and I asked him when he is going to stop harassing and slandering me.
“He hit me on the chest twice, on my heart and I just recently had heart surgery.
“The third time I blocked him and threw his own hands in his face,” Smith said.
Regarding claims he was a former skollie, Smith says: “He is speaking nonsense.”
Smith also denies asking Abrahams’ neighbour for a picture and address.
“Those are lies. We live one road apart. Why would I need his address and a picture?
“My beef with him is that he does not have qualifications to be a scholar,” Smith added.
robin.francke@inl.co.za