According to newspaper reports Kazi was killed outside a fast-food store in Magaliesburg following an altercation with two white Afrikaans-speaking men. The reports further allege that the two men started taunting Kazi, calling him Osama bin-Laden, pulling at his beard and allegedly started hurling racial insults at him.

Kazi was in the company of another Muslim man at the time of the alleged incident.

Although the Commission became aware of the incident through the media and received no formal complaint, our officials were dispatched to the place where the incident took place, to investigate.

The facts at this stage are still not clear.

However, the commission condemns any religious or racial intolerance in the strongest terms. South Africa is a diverse country with many cultures and religious beliefs that should be respected at all times.

The commission will continue to monitor this incident, and we call on the law enforcers to ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are brought to book.

ENDS

Issued by:

Isaac Mangena
Head: Communications
South African Human Rights Commission
33 Hoofd Street, Braampark Forum 3, Braamfontein
Private Bag X2700, Houghton, 2041
Tel:  +27 (0) 11 877 3603
Fax:  +27 (0) 11 403 0567
Mobile:  +2771 884 8273
e-mail:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
website:  www.sahrc.org.za