Local police is on a manhunt for the seven believed to be Malawian nationals who attacked and murdered Rashida Laher and her son Hoosin (not Muhammed as previously reported) on 5 August.
The NEWS’ sister newspaper, The Rising Sun reported that the double murder has sent shockwaves through the small community of Azaadville, this reportedly being a first of its kind in the community.
A relative, Mohammad Ashraf found the two strangled to death after he returned from the Taraweeh prayer. They were tied with laptop wires and shoe laces and had towels stuffed in their mouths.
The Isfahan Street home was ransacked and items such as jewellery were taken, reported Rashida’s brother, Ebrahim Essop, who was visibly emotional as he addressed the media.
Kagiso Police’s Warrant Officer Solomon Sibiya said both the deceased were strangled and also had head injuries.
“We strongly suspect that they were strangled because they both had scratch marks on their necks. The man still had a cloth around his neck that allegedly was used to strangle him. We are not sure how they sustained the injuries to the heads. But in some attacks, the perpetrators assault the victims with the butt of a firearm,” said Sibiya.
The police is searching for the domestic worker, who is missing.
Mohammad went to the worker’s room of which the door was wide open, but she was not there. However, her cellphone and ID book were in the room. Police believe she might have been kidnapped by the murderers.
Mother and son murdered while praying
A mother and her son were attacked and murdered in their home during prayer time in the Muslim community of Azaadville on Monday night 5 August.
Kagiso SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Solomon Sibiya confirmed the double murder of the 60-year-old Rashida Laher and her 35-year-old son Muhammed.
Sibiya says the call came through around 8.45pm and it is believed that seven men attacked the mother and son while they were praying.
The house was ransacked and police is still on the scene combing through evidence.
Social media giant twitter is buzzing with tweets from Crime Line, requesting anyone with information to forward such details about the seven suspects, believed to be Malawian nationals, to them.
Ambranjee tweeted: “Mother Rashida Laher & son Muhammed were attacked by a gang of about 7 men last night. Both were murdered. #Azaadville@CrimeLineZA” [sic].
@SpreadingSalaam tweeted: “Shock & sadness…merciless killing of mother & son in Azaadville, SAfrica. Tied, died together, pray they enter Paradise together! #Ramadan” [sic].
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