Apparently members of the Somali jihad group al-Shabaab have followed Ethiopian Christians to South Africa and murdered them there. “Terror group targeting local Christians: Bishop,” by Genevieve Serra for IOL News, July 13 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
Elite cops are investigating claims that terror group al-Shabaab is behind the murders of 14 Christians in the Western Cape.
The killings occurred within a 10-month period across the province, from Mossel Bay to Philippi, Macassar and Paarl.
All of the victims were Ethiopian Christians living here and the murders were initially thought to be random xenophobic attacks on foreigners.
The latest of these is a shop owner who was gunned down in Philippi last Friday.
But police are now investigating new evidence that the killings have been carried out by Somalia-based Al-Shabaab.
It is the first time there has been any suggestion that Al-Shabaab – which has links to Al-Qaeda – is operating in South Africa.
Authorities were made aware of the link to the Cape killings when a Christian bishop, also a former police inspector, noticed a distinct pattern in the murders.
The bishop – who does not want to be identified out of fear that he may be targeted – has sent three letters to President Jacob Zuma highlighting his concerns.
In one letter – seen by the Daily Voice – the bishop states: “Since September, seven of my Ethiopian Community have been shot, of which two have died and five seriously wounded… these are in fact acts of members of Al-Shabaab.
“Al Qaeda affiliates operating undercover by Somalis pretending to be normal refugees… the motive appears to be to try and drive out Ethiopian shop owners.”
A response from the President Jacob Zuma’s office addressed to the bishop advised him to take his findings to the “private secretary to the Minister of Police… the department placed to engage with you”.
In an interview with the Daily Voice, the bishop reveals he is currently in close contact with a special task force intelligence officer who has been assigned to the case.
The bishop – who is the head of a 4 000-strong congregation – fears more of his flock will be targeted by the terrorists.
“We want authorities to do something because we know this is the work of al-Shabaab,” he says.
“If nothing is done, the Ethiopian population will be depleted.
“The presidency’s office said I should apply to the Minister of Police.
“After that a special task force police officer was assigned.
“As a bishop, I feel responsible for my congregation.”…
U.S. Constitutional Free Press 