The Muslim Judicial Council yesterday said one of the retired school principals accused of sexual abuse by a relative has been suspended “with immediate effect” from the organisation’s education board.
This after a video of a young woman claiming sexual abuse allegedly at the hands of her oupa, Gasant Emeran from Bo-Kaap, went viral.
She also alleged along with her grandfather’s twin brother, Goosain, they sexually abused other girls over a period of five decades.
In a statement from MJC president Sheikh Irafaan Abrahams, he said the organisation noted with great concern the allegations.
“One of those against whom these allegations have been levelled, Mr Goosain Emeran, serves on the Education Board of the Muslim Judicial Council and has subsequently been suspended with immediate effect until further notice.
“We condemn all acts of sexual molestation and abuse of women and children.
“Crimes of this nature are abominable, and the processes of the law must be fully instituted.
“The MJC encourages those who have fallen victim to crimes of this nature to break their silence and to seek legal recourse.”
Gasant, 85, was the principal of Oaklands High School, is still tutoring pupils, while Goosain was the head of Trafalgar High.
On Thursday, the Bo-Kaap community staged protests outside Gasant’s home as well as outside the former Hilton Hotel in Wale Street.
Gasant’s family told the Daily Voice he was suffering from cancer and they were not prepared to comment.
Goosain said on Wednesday he was not aware of the YouTube video and is yet to respond to the allegations.
News of the alleged abuse has rocked the close-knit community and concerned resident Shafwaan Laubscher said the purpose of the protest was to show support to all survivors of abuse.
#Bokaapwillnotbesilenced #NoVictimWillBeSilenced #WeStandInSolidarity #ProtectOurChildren
Posted by Bo Kaap Civic and Ratepayers Association on Thursday, October 22, 2020
“It is time we as men stand up to abuse in any form and to the perpetrators, it’s time men stand up and be counted and call out this type of behaviour from men.
“We are supposed to be the protectors of our womenfolk and children,” he said.
In the video, titled Exposing Paedophilia by Community Leaders in Cape Town, the young woman, who currently lives in Jordan, gives disturbing details of the alleged abuse which she says started at the age of five.
She said: “It’s been decades and nothing has ever been done. I’m asking you not to have your kids tutored by them and not visit them. I wish I could have done something sooner... I’m doing this so that it stops.”