Hawks investigate 'elements of extremism' in KZN mosque attack
There are elements of extremism in the attack of a KwaZulu-Natal mosque where one man died and two others were seriously injured, the Hawks said on Friday.
KwaZulu-Natal Hawks spokesperson Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo told News24 that the Hawks were leading the investigation following the attack at the Imam Hussain Mosque in Ottawa, Verulam, north of Durban on Thursday.
"There are elements of extremism that we have noticed. There is some sort of hatred pertaining to religion... hence we're saying there were elements of extremism," said Mhlongo.
He said the Hawks were investigating one count of murder, two of attempted murder and one count of assault.
He said the deceased was Abbas Essop, who was in his late 20s.