Hoomer was accused of being the kingpin behind a spate of ‘bomb’ scares.
A KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) businessman who was previously accused of terrorism and attempted bombings at major retail stores wants to run for elections in South Africa.
Farhad Hoomer has registered a new political party called the Islamic State of Africa (ISA), which he wants to be part of the political landscape in the country.
Hoomer said ISA stands by Sharia Law (Islamic law), which has led people for more than 1300 years.
Politics
The businessman said that when he entered what he called the “political field”, he did not want to deceive people about his political ambitions.
“It was easy for me to lie and make a false name and come into politics. But, I wanted to make it clear from day one that we want Shariah Law because there is too much of injustice in the world, especially with democracy enslaving all of mankind,” Hoomer told SAFM.
ALSO READ: UK warns citizens of possible terrorist attacks in South Africa, Dirco wants proof for claims
“So, we wanted to make it very clear that we want Shariah Law, because Shariah Law is here to free all of mankind.”
No links to ISIS
Hoomer denied claims that ISA is linked to extremist group the Islamic State (ISIS) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), responsible for terrorism, despite concerns and objections that have been raised.
Hoomer said people should do their own research about Shariah Law.
“Don’t believe what the West has sold to the people, that you know what Shariah Law is, evil, it’s terrorism. That’s a lie.”
Hoomer said the ISA had already started preparing for the next local government elections in 2026.
Alleged terrorism
In November 2022, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions targeting four members of an Islamic State (ISIS) cell operating in South Africa, as well as eight companies they control.
The Treasury Department’s top terrorist finance watchdog Brian Nelson said the move blacklisted four members of Isis operating in South Africa, including Hoomer, who provided technical, financial or material support to the terrorist group.
The US Treasury also designated eight companies owned, controlled, or directed by the individuals in this ISIS cell.
It said the sanctions target members of the Durban, South Africa-based Isis cell allegedly led by Hoomer.
Kingpin
Hoomer was the alleged kingpin behind a spate of “bomb” scares at Woolworths stores in the Pavilion, Gateway and Durban CBD in 2018.
Despite serious allegations against Hoomer and 19 others, they walked out of court as free men when their case was struck off the roll as the State had failed to justify why it was not ready to proceed with the matter.
The US Treasury said Hoomer had not ceased his “terror activities” and that he had collaborated with brothers Nufael Akbar and Yunus Muhammad Akbar, who were allegedly senior members of a Durban-based ISIS cell led by Hoomer.
ALSO READ: Ramaphosa hits outs at US embassy about possible terror attacks
However, Hoomer has denied all allegations laid against him.
“There’s no link to the extremist group. I’ve been charged in 2018 for this, and I’ve been proven innocent with no criminal records. I’ve been not found guilty for any of the charges. So, I don’t understand why other people are bringing up something that I haven’t been found guilty of.”
