An imam, who was locked up for interfering with police duties, has brought about peace between rival gangs in Manenberg.
Imam Fahkier Mohamed, 32, spent two nights behind bars after he tried to defend a man who was allegedly being assaulted by cops on Saturday.
He was released on Monday morning after charges were dropped before he could appear in court.
Mohamed is one of the imams at Masjidul Manaaru Hudaa in Jordaan Street.
The holy man told the Daily Voice the cops were aspris to keep him locked up since they let go the man’s girlfriend, who was arrested on the same charge as he.
On Monday, he posted two videos on social media, which were seen by rival gang leaders.
Mohamed says the Fancy Boys and Americans, both from Manenberg, approached him to mediate a peace agreement.
In the second video, he gives a sermon and recites passages from the Qur’an, speaking about fighting against injustice.
“This was seen by gang leaders who contacted me to mediate for peace between two rival gangs,” says the imam.
“On Tuesday rival gangs met on the sports field and agreed to a long-term peace agreement in the presence of the police and affected community members.”
Mohamed was detained after he had questioned cops while they were apparently assaulting a man they were arresting along Ruimte Road.
Cops said the 31-year-old suspect had been found in possession of a toy gun.
The imam said yesterday he was not out to attack cops in his video, but rather wanted his arrest to be a lesson.
“Do not ask police any questions while they are working even if you see them doing something wrong, such as unnecessary assault,” he says.
“Instead, silently record the incident and the police van number, and visit the police station to report the incident. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of how the case is being treated, you may report the matter to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate.”
Manenberg Station Commander, Colonel Sanele Zama, cautioned against public interference with police work as it “is a distraction and can jeopardise the officers’ and community’s safety”.