The Council of Muslim Theologians in Johannesburg, South Africa is angry with the South African public broadcaster's SABC News (DStv 404) that broadcast an interview with a so-called Africa analyst, Prof Izak Khomo, who claimed that there's a Malawi connection to Tuesday's horrific Nairobi attacks in Kenya.
Prof. Izak Khomo, a SABC producer, presenter and analyst for the SABC's Channel Africa radio station, claimed on SABC News in a segment that quickly went viral and that attracted a lotof criticism, that some of the jihadists that Al-Shabab used have been recruited from Malawi, specifically the Yao community.
The Council of Muslim Theologians has written to the SABC's general manager, Njanji Chauke, asking to confirm the claim.
"We have been alerted to a video clip which is purported to be an SABC News interview of an expert who makes remarks pertaining to the Somali-based Al Shabaab," says the letter written to the SABC by Uthman Chilungo, spokesperson for the Council of Muslim Theologians.
"As the video plays, the supposed expert is heard claiming the terror group's ties and recruitment among Muslims in general and the Yao people of Southern Malawi in particular."
"Please confirm if this was the actual SABC News broadcast and if so, note that we have found the remarks made by the supposed expert frivolous, troubling and lacking veracity. We will appreciate if we would be allowed to engage the said expert so that we can share in his research leading to the conclusions he has made."
"We also look forward to an opportunity of a right of reply to the comments the said expert has made," Uthman Chilungo told the SABC.
At least 21 people were killed at the luxury DusitD2 hotel on Tuesday when Somali militants stormed the hotel complex with Al Shabab that claimed responsibility for the terror attack.
Prof. Izak Khomo on SABC News said "There are Al Shabaab fighters in Tanzania, most of them are Zanzibaris, some of them are across Tanzania from Dar es Salaam area. You have got Al Shabab fighters from Uganda".
"And there are also Al-Shabab fighters from Mozambique, northern Mozambique and also from Malawi. Southern Malawi, mostly Yao, actually go to the Al-Shabab camps over there."
"But it is not only Al Shabab, that's a thing which everybody has to realise. Also we have Isis. And we have also got an Isis presence in South Africa. When I am talking about Isis, I am not talking about the Durban, the home-grown Isis, I am talking about the foreign Isis."
Neo Momodu, SABC spokesperson says "The SABC has noted media reports and enquiries. We are currently investigating the matter, before responding to the relevant stakeholders."
