PRESS RELEASE
NO EMBARGO
27 September 2024
Al Jama-ah commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Abdullah Haron killed in detention on 27 September 1969
Al Jama-ah Party commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Abdullah Haron who was brutally killed in detention 55 years ago on 27 September 1969.
Imam was arrested on 28 May 1969 under the Terrorism Act and succumbed to injuries because of brutal torture by members of the Security Branch at both the Caledon Square Police Station and the Maitland Police Station where he was held.
Al Jama-ah calls on South Africans to reflect on the life of Imam Haron and his brutal killing.
The apartheid government falsely stated that the Imam died because he ‘fell down the stairs”. “But we always knew that the Imam was killed, as in the case of several other anti-apartheid activists before him and after him.
Imam Haron was at the time a lone voice of resistance amongst the Muslim Ulema (religious leaders). The Imam, aware of the danger, did not allow his fears to outweigh his integrity and with dignity he continued to assist the families of detainees and those who fled into exile,” says Adv Shameemah Salie.
Following the reopened inquest into the killing of the Imam, the Western Cape High Court finally ruled on 9 October 2023 that Imam Abdullah Haron was tortured to death while he was in detention for 123 days. Although the ruling was welcomed and gave some form of comfort to the Haron family, the prosecution of one of the torturers a junior officer, Johannes Burger, who is still alive is yet to take place.
Al Jama-ah further notes with concern the delays in the reopening of inquests into the killings of Steve Biko, the Cradock Four and many others. “We remain in solidarity with these families as they too, are waiting for justice to prevail,” says Salie.
For further media inquiries contact:
Ms Sinazo Mtshengu
Cell: 078 512 3186