Popular financial adviser Moeshfieka Botha claims she has been harassed by a member of the Muslim political party Al Jama-ah, after he said in a text message: “ Daai ding moet in haar p*** geskop hoort”.
On Wednesday the party admitted their secretary general, Faried Achmat, had made the comment, and hauled him before a disciplinary committee to decide his future.
Botha says she has been victimised, threatened, harassed and slandered on social media for asking questions about the party’s finances.
Meanwhile, a picture of Botha, shared on Facebook by an unknown source, was captioned: “Moeshfiqa (Monafiq) Botha, the woman wanting to overthrow a Muslim party, Al-Jama-ah as she is the leader of the Cape (APE) Accord of the Shia Mosque...[sic]’.
Monafiq means hypocrite in Arabic.
SLANDER: Moeshfieka called names on Facebook
In June 2018, 25 organisations across South Africa including the Muslim Youth Movement and SA Muslims Network, met at Masjidul Quds in Gatesville to sign the Cape Accord with the aim of fostering unity in the face of growing Islamaphobia globally.
“I am being victimised because I am holding a political party to account,” Botha tells the Daily Voice.
“People are creating fake [Facebook] profiles,
blatantly spreading lies and tarnishing my character.”
The Facebook post and vuilbek WhatsApp message have gone viral.
In a screenshot of the WhatsApp conversation, Achmat is chatting to a friend who jokes about Botha giving them a hard time.
Achmat then responds by saying: “ Daai ding moet in haar * *** geskop hoort.[sic].”
Botha says: “I was sent this screenshot by the person Achmat was chatting to. He told me he sent it to me because he was concerned for my safety.
SIES: Achmat’s WhatsApp messages about Moeshfieka
“I have never signed the Cape Accord which makes this even more bizarre.
“Bullies don’t deserve a place in society much less in a councillor’s position.
She says it all started when she questioned why Al Jama-ah councillors had to give 50% of their salaries to the party, and asked for a breakdown of the party’s alleged debt.
“The party’s slogan is deen (religion) first. They profess an Islamic ethos. Is this appropriate?
“This is not acceptable that someone gets paid a salary and he invokes violence against women,” she says.
Achmat did not respond to calls or messages from the Daily Voice.
Al Jama-ah’s leader, Ganief Hendricks, confirmed Achmat was summoned home after they saw the social media posts.
“Achmat was campaigning for the party in Beaufort West and was supposed to stay there until Friday but he was summoned to return to Cape Town immediately as he has to appear before the party lawyer in Diep River at 5pm (yesterday).
“We have lawyers from two firms who will then have to advise the party on how to take the matter further.
“We will also be taking on this matter religiously and the ameer (Islamic advisor) is awaiting the lawyer’s outcome,” Hendricks said.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION: Faried Achmat.
He admitted Achmat sent the onbeskofte WhatsApp message.
“He had a chat with one of his homeboys and that is how they talk. The party does not accept that.
“The party has zero
tolerance to anything which harms the dignity of women and children and we have to follow due process,”
Hendricks added.