Sandton man accused of terror financing released on Bail! A 35-year-old man accused of financing terrorist activities has been granted bail by the Lichtenburg Magistrates Court in the North West province. Ziyadh Hoorzook, a South African national, was released on Tuesday, with strict bail conditions, after being arrested at his Sandton home in Johannesburg on January 3, 2025.
Bail Conditions and Court Ruling
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya, confirmed that Hoorzook was granted R30,000 bail. However, the court imposed strict conditions to ensure he does not interfere with the ongoing investigation.
As part of his bail conditions, Hoorzook must:
- Report to the Sandton Police Station every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m.
- Refrain from interfering with investigations or contacting witnesses.
- Share his live location with the investigating officer at all times.
The case has been postponed to March 30, 2025, for further investigation.
Serious Charges Under Terrorism Laws
Hoorzook is facing multiple charges under South Africa’s Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act. The NPA revealed that he faces:
- Six alternative counts of contravening Section 4(1)(f)(ii) of the Act.
- Additional charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
- Violations of the Firearms Control Act for failing to properly secure his firearms.
The authorities allege that Hoorzook was involved in financial transactions linked to terror financing and had neglected proper storage of his licensed firearms.
A Lengthy Investigation Dating Back to 2018
Hoorzook’s arrest follows an extensive investigation that began in May 2018 when the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the Hawks flagged suspicious financial transactions.
According to law enforcement sources, Bitcoin worth R11,500 was purchased using Hoorzook’s bank account. Investigators found that:
- On November 30, 2017, Hoorzook bought Bitcoin via Luno, a virtual asset service provider.
- On the same day, the Bitcoin was transferred from Hoorzook’s Luno wallet to another wallet linked to an “independent charity.”
- This non-profit organisation was allegedly connected to two other organisations involved in illicit activities.
- A preliminary investigation found that the funds were sent in response to an appeal for financial support for activities involving weapons and military aid.
Police believe that these financial transactions were part of an effort to fund terror-related activities in another country.
Raid at Hoorzook’s Sandton Residence
On October 3, 2024, after months of gathering evidence, law enforcement officials obtained a search warrant and raided Hoorzook’s home in Sandton.
During the raid, officers seized several pieces of evidence linked to the investigation. In addition, authorities discovered that:
- Two of Hoorzook’s licensed firearms were not locked away in a safe, as required by law.
- A case docket was opened for violations under the Firearms Control Act.
Authorities Monitoring the Case Closely
Law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks, are closely monitoring Hoorzook’s activities as the investigation continues. The prosecution will use the next two months to gather additional evidence before the case resumes in March 2025.
While Hoorzook maintains his innocence, authorities are confident that they have strong evidence linking him to unlawful transactions and potentially dangerous networks.
This case has raised renewed concerns over terror financing in South Africa, highlighting the increasing use of cryptocurrencies for illegal activities. The government is expected to tighten regulations on virtual asset transactions in response to this and similar cases.
For now, the public and legal experts will closely watch the court proceedings to see how South Africa’s justice system handles such a high-profile terrorism-related case.
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