N Mapisa-Nqakula commits to meeting with Muslim Community on abusive
cartoons and deportation

24 February 2006

The Department of Home Affairs has expressed great disappointment at the
attempts by Mr Zehir Omar to abuse the emotions of the Muslim community by
re-opening the matter of the abusive cartoons against Prophet Mohammad and to
link this to the case of the deportation of Mr Khalid Rashid.

Attorney Zehir Omar has organised a march to protest against the insults and
attacks levelled against the Prophet Muhammad. The pamphlet says: “stand
together to protest the abuse of freedom of speech. Do not allow the might of
the press/media to overpower the values of a God-fearing nation!”

The pamphlet goes on: “also demand to know the whereabouts of our brother,
Khalid Rashid who disappeared with the knowledge of the Minister of Home
Affairs”.

Firstly, we are puzzled that these two unrelated issues – the attacks on the
Prophet Muhammad and the deportation of Mr Rashid – have been linked. However,
we are aware that Mr Omar is the attorney in a High Court application that has
been brought concerning Mr Rashid’s deportation. Mr Rashid entered South Africa
without a valid visa. Not only was Mr Rashid’s entry into South Africa illegal,
he then obtained a fraudulent work permit. He was therefore an illegal
foreigner and liable for deportation. This matter is confirmed by Mr Rashid
himself in an affidavit signed by him and presented to the courts. He was
deported to Pakistan, under the Immigration Act, on 6 November 2005.

Mr Omar has continued to mislead the public on this matter despite the fact
that he is fully aware of the response of the Department regarding questions
relating to the deportation of Mr Khalid Rashid.

The High Court application was heard on 14 February 2006. It has been
adjourned indefinitely. However, the Department has been granted leave to file,
by 1 March 2006, a further affidavit dealing with Mr Rashid’s deportation.

In the circumstances, all questions relating to Mr Rashid’s deportation are
still in the hands of a court of law. It would therefore be inappropriate for
the Minister of Home Affairs to deal with matters concerning the merits and
details of Mr Rashid’s deportation.

The Minister of Home Affairs has full respect for the rule of law, which is
after all a foundational value of our Constitution. Mr Omar, who is an officer
of the court before which the application is pending, ought to show the same
respect for the procedures and forum through which he is pursuing his client’s
rights.

Accordingly, the Minister has made a firm undertaking to meet with the
leadership of the Muslim community to clarify any matter relating to this case
once it is finalised in the courts. The Minister would like to assure all South
Africans that all deportations of illegal immigrants in the country are done
within the provisions of the law and the utter respect for human rights.

Enquiries:
Nkosana Sibuyi
Head of Communication
Cell: 082 886 6708

Cleo Mosana
Ministerial Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 902 8796

Issued by: Department of Home Affairs
24 February 2006
Source: Department of Home Affairs (http://www.home-affairs.gov.za)