Deedat to sue NPA for ‘Isis’ remarks
The 61-year-old said the allegations have cost him a loss in reputation, harmed his dignity and self-respect.
LOCAL resident Yousuf Deedat is planning on suing the State for R15 million after allegedly being branded an Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) terrorist in court. He has sent a letter of demand to the National Director of Public Prosecutions. What’s more the Durban North resident said the allegations have cost him a loss in reputation, harmed his dignity and self-respect.
Deedat’s attorneys Dawood Patel & Company, said the statements were made by a prosecutor in April when he appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. This follows an incident in April where the 61-year-old handed out pamphlets at a local school. At the time, Deedat and a delegation from Saudi Arabia visited the school to speak to the Muslim Student’s Association. Gifts, which included perfumes and DVDs, were handed out to the students who asked questions of the delegation.
However, a day later, reports in some media outlets alleged that the visit was part of a terrorist recruitment drive. In papers filed in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, Deedat’s attorneys added their client had been defamed by ‘untrue’ and ‘malicious’ allegations.
“I don’t support Isis or any terrorist group. Islam is a religion of peace and this is nothing more than fear-mongering. There’s no truth in allegations that we were on a recruiting drive. I have no ties to Daesh (Isis),” he said.
When Northglen News contacted the KZN NPA provincial spokeswoman, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, she said they were aware of the lawsuit.
“As the NPA we are not in a position to comment further at this stage as Mr. Deedat has filed civil action against the state,” she said.
