The plight of Langa Madrasa, threatened by extortion, provokes community action, as local leaders push for legal intervention and condemnation of attacks on places of faith.
Senior Cape Town Muslim clerics and community leaders stepped in late last week to help open a criminal case against a Langa seminary after an extortionist threatened to close it down if its management did not pay a R3,000 “initiation fee” and a monthly payment of R500 for “security”.
In a chilling recorded phone call with the extortionist, a school representative explains that the institution is not a profit-making business.
It provides daily meals, transportation and schooling for children in the area.
The leader said, “This is God's house.” “We don't make money. We're praying for you.”
The Madrasa operates under the auspices of Langa Township Projects.
When the school representative tried to arrange a meeting with the extortionist, he replied that he would “have to come to Langa”.
When a school official tried to file criminal charges, he was reportedly turned away. Cape Town Underground Business (CTUB) spokesperson Syed Ridhwan said they took action after Deep River police turned away the officer and directed him to be taken to Langa police station. Ridhwan said the extortionist claimed that all businesses in the area were complying with the same demands.
He said he intervened out of deep security concerns…