The Hawks are investigating the involvement of South Africans in an insurgency in northern Mozambique.
The area has recently seen apparent Islamic State-backed fighters capture Mocimboa da Praia, the main port in the heart of the country’s vast offshore gas fields, where $60bn (about R1-trillion) in projects are at risk.
Hawks spokesperson Capt Lloyd Ramovha told Times Select their investigation would look at various aspects of support the insurgency was allegedly receiving from South Africans.
“This includes financial and material support.”
Ramovha, who declined to give exact numbers, said a number of South Africans were allegedly fighting in Mozambique.
“The investigation into South Africans involvement with the insurgency involves Interpol and the Mozambican authorities. The investigation has multiple legs, with detectives looking at cross-border financial flows, the origin of these funds and the involvement of organised crime in raising finances.”
He stressed that there was no imminent threat to SA.
A South African alleged to have been involved in the ongoing conflict was Johannesburg cellphone and computer technician Mohammed Suliman, who died while reportedly fighting for the insurgency.
His father, Abdulaleem Suliman, said the circumstances around the death of his son, who was close to SA terror accused twins Brandon-Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie, and their friend-turned-state witness Renaldo Smith, were sketchy.
He was reportedly shot in battle with Mozambican soldiers sometime between November 2018 and February 2019.
All Suliman’s parents have after their son’s death are questions.
“I told him Islam is not a religion which allows one to take lives. I told him it was wrong what he was doing, that these are innocent people and the only one with the right to take a life is God,” said Suliman.
Since 2017, Ahlu Sunnah wa Jamaa, which is believed to be supported by Isis and organised crime syndicates, including those from SA, has been carrying out violent attacks in the country’s mineral- and gas-rich northern province of Carbo Delgado.
Two weeks ago, the rebels took control of the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia.
Suliman said his son left with 16 South Africans in 2018.
“They, like the Thulsie twins and Smith, were his friends. The Thulsies would come here sometimes. They would go to mosque together with Mohammed.”
Looking at a photograph of his son, with a man believed to be Smith and four other men brandishing AK-47s, is difficult for Suliman.
The photograph, which features an Isis flag behind the men, is believed to have been taken in Mozambique.
Suliman said he had been questioned by officers from the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State Unit.
The unit has been investigating an alleged plot by the Thulsies to launch Isis-endorsed attacks on US and Jewish targets in SA. They will appear in the Johannesburg High Court again in October.
Part of the investigation, which began after Smith blew the whistle on the Thulsies, has looked at links between Isis and South African organised crime networks, believed to be helping fund the terror network’s operations.
Asked about Smith allegedly fighting in Mozambique, his lawyer, Mohammed Sali, said he would not comment, “unless I have specific instructions from him to divulge information”.
Those arrested in the Klipspruit raid are definitely not an Isis cell, but a portion of what they make from their alleged crimes allegedly goes to Isis
Weeks after the Thulsies’ arrest, Smith, whose wife, Sameera Fynn, was also questioned by detectives, recanted his affidavit to police.
Smith refused to be placed into witness protection and, according to police sources, crossed into Mozambique in 2018 on his South African passport.
His entry into that country, one of several between 2017 and 2018, occurred as the Mozambique insurgency ramped up violent attacks there.
Hawks detectives have been probing Smith and other South Africans fighting in Mozambique as part a three-year investigation.
Smith did not answer his Mozambique cellphone number or respond to Facebook messages.
Last month, detectives raided a Klipspruit house outside Johannesburg. The residence was allegedly used by an organised crime gang involved in kidnappings. Police recovered firearms, ammunition and Isis paraphernalia.
During the operation, officers also raided a house in Kensington, Johannesburg, rescuing a kidnapped Indian businessman.
Five people were arrested and several questioned.
Ramovha declined to comment on the Klipspruit investigation, “which is highly sensitive”.
“The suspects will appear in court in September.”
A police source said as part of their investigations, detectives were looking at organised crime and extremism.
“Those arrested in the Klipspruit raid are definitely not an Isis cell, but a portion of what they make from their alleged crimes allegedly goes to Isis.”
The source said they were investigating Smith and four South Africans, who travelled with him to Mozambique.
“The group are among nearly 100 South Africans believed to be fighting with the insurgency. South Africans are also allegedly providing financial support to the insurgency.”
Jasmine Opperman, director of the Africa Desk at the Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium, said South African organised crime syndicates gave Isis opportunities to generate funds, especially through crimes such as kidnappings.
“For the first time in Southern Africa we are faced with an Isis threat never seen before.”
Alastair Nelson, a senior fellow at the Switzerland-based Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime, said some within the insurgency were linked to criminal activities, including drug, ivory, ruby and gold smuggling.
“Information indicates the group is setting up funding resources through the taxation of the region’s illicit economies.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.