80 South Africans among new ISIS recruits

Analysts in South Africa believe 80 locals could be involved with Jihadist organisation, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) in the Middle East.

Muslim scholar, Farid Esack, who heads the Department of Religion Studies at the University of Johannesburg, has said that the number of South Africa nationals with Isis could be between 50 and 80.

A few weeks ago, Iraqi Ambassador to South Africa, Dr Hisham Al-Alawi, quoted an almost similar estimation when addressing the media. “We have between 50 and 80 South Africans in Syria, but a number of them have gone and come back,” Prof Esack told The New Age.

Earlier, Dr Al-Alawi had said:

“We could say with certainty that 50 to 60 persons, South African citizens, have joined Isis in Syria.” Both Prof Esack and Dr Al-Alawi said the recruits were enticed on social networks.

A 2014 UN report said Jihadist aspirants from more than 80 countries have flocked to fight in Iraq and Syria on an “unprecedented scale”.

The UN also claims that about 15 000 people had travelled to fight alongside Isis and other hardcore militant groups from countries that have not previously faced challenges relating to al-Qaeda. Prof Esack said the picture painted to potential recruits by recruiters did not reveal the truth behind the real life of a Jihadist before joining.

Likely attacks

“Most of these are from wealthy background and once they are there they begin to miss their Mercedes Benz or their comfortable homes and they want to return,” he said.

Late last month, a legitimate South African driver’s licence was found on the body of a dead Jihadist in France. South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs later confirmed the licence was genuine.

Meanwhile, security officials from Zimbabwe and Zambia met last month to discuss ways to prepare themselves for possible attacks. Prof Esack said this was important despite the fact that there are no signs any of the two countries face attack threats.

“You always ensure your fire extinguishers are ready even when you don’t expect any fire to break out. I wouldn’t think the meeting was unnecessary panic,” he said. Several South African nationals have returned to the country from Isis and government has allowed them to reintegrate into society. “We continue to monitor them and we are aware there are South Africans involved with Isis, but we have no idea what the figures could be,” State Security spokesperson, Brian Dube, said

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