Despite calls from the newly formed Sayyidana Alli (RA) Institute, management team, in Raslouw, concerning the use of its ghusal facilty for all deceased Muslims, there seems to be a deliberate attempt to derail this call for unity, after a new twist has developed. 

On our front page, July 30 issue, the Laudium Sun reported that the Institute, invited all Muslim residents, especially those who live in Centurion, to use the ghusal and Janazah prayer facility at the Raslouw premises on Baard Road, in the event of the passing away of a dear one. The Institute also invited both the PMT and CMB burial committees to use the ghusal facility, especially for those dear deceased who lived in the nearby security estates and other parts of Centurion, instead of going all the way to Laudium or Erasmia for the ghusal. Soon after the Laudium Sun hit the streets, last Friday, a WhatsApp message was circulated, from an apparent member of the CMB, who wanted to remain anonymous. The post which goes against the POPI Act, was also vexatious and derogatory, and as such it was unlawful to post or repost it, on any platform, including social media platforms. 

Basically, the derogatory post went against the call for unity by the Institute and even attacked a member of the Institute on a personal basis. (Due to the POPI Act, we cannot repeat certain of the defamatory allegations). The alleged CMB member also objected to the invite by the Institute, for the use of the ghusal facilty by the CMB, on the grounds that “jamaat brothers” were not on the Mosque committee of the Institute and that the members of the Institute were selected from the “Ahle Sunnah/Barelwi Group”. The alleged CMB member further questioned whether, in the interest of unity, the Institute would allow “us” (CMB), in the Mosque of the Institute for kitaab reading, or allow their (CMB) Uluma to lead Salaah. The issue of the privately owned property from where the Institute is being run (which has been given as Waqaf and the process for its transfer has begun), was also raised as an objection.

What was not said…

What the alleged member of the CMB did not state in the derogatory post, is that none of the organisations or Mosques in the Laudium/Erasmia/Raslouw area have open elections and that members on their boards are selectively chosen by those who are in control of the Mosque properties. Even the PMT, where members were voted in by the Muslim public until years back, now comprises of almost all, if not all members, who have not been elected by the public. Furthermore, the alleged CMB member did not question how money was derived by the ‘private’ owners of the CMB property, where ghusals are currently being given or why the CMB is a private company, with self-appointed directors, instead of directors appointed by the community. The alleged member of the CMB also did not state that all Mosques in the area, have their own Imaam and also their own policies, concerning the leading of the 5 daily prayers and do not have a ‘free-for-all to be Imaam’, policy. Also not mentioned in the said post, is that at none of the Mosques in the area, even though the properties may be given as Waqaf or have Waqaf status, are any Muslims allowed to join the board of directors or trustees, without approval from the other sitting members. 

New twist…

In another twist, a member of the CMB, Zaheer Jeewa, reposted the derogatory post on the CMB platform, despite the fact that it goes against the POPI Act. Furthermore, Mahier Tayob, of Tayfin, was appointed, by the member of the Institute who was defamed, to investigate the source of the derogatory WhatsApp message, and all those who unlawfully dessiminated the post, to family members and friends, despite it being unlawful. It is believed that Mahier approached the CMB, concerning the seriousness of allowing their member to post the said derogatory post on their platform, and advised them to publicly distance themselves from the said post and to immediately delete it, to avoid any legal repercussions or criminal liability. The CMB, in response, deleted the post, but did not offer a public announcement disassociating itself from the said post. Instead, in what is described as nothing more than a ruse, a director of the CMB, is believed to have opened a criminal case at the police station, on this matter.

Complaints against CMB since Feb 2021 

Mahier has apparently received complaints about the CMB as far back as February 2021, concerning their company status. In the process of his investigation, it is alleged that he had found a number of breaches of the CMB company status, in terms of the Companies Act, concerning non-profit companies and in terms of Section 30 of the Income Tax Act. It is also believed that Mahier discovered that the CMB, which is a private company, was not registered as a non-profit organisation, despite its statement on its Facebook page, claiming to be an NPO, thus compromising its trading, as well as donations and cash sponsorships. It is also believed that Mahier discovered other irregularities committed by the CMB, concerning the running of its affairs. The Laudium Sun understands that Mahier advised the CMB to get its act in order, failing which he would have no option, but to report them to the necessary authorities. However, it is believed that while some of the CMB directors were prepared to ask Mahier to guide them to get their affairs in order, in terms of the relevant laws, other directors were apparently defiant and had the attitude that they would not be dictated to by anyone, as the CMB was popular within the community and thus had the support of the community.