Alleged ISS cell members linked to Ethiopian's kidnapping

Two of the five men arrested in connection with the kidnapping of an Ethiopian businessman in South Africa, were previously sanctioned by the US for being part of the Isis terror group, one of them as recently as last year, reports News24. Zayd Gangat, Muhamed Touray, Tofik Shifa, Mohammed Akbar and Emmanuel Bizanama were arrested following the rescue operation of the kidnapped victim last Monday. Gangat was sanctioned by the US Treasury in July last year for allegedly being an Isis facilitator and a trainer, while Akbar was sanctioned in November 2022 for being part of an Isis cell in Durban. Gangat was one of three people sanctioned in July 2024. The other two were Abubakar Swalleh and Hamidah Nabagala. Swalleh, considered an Isis operative based in South Africa and Zambia, was allegedly involved in the physical transfer of funds from South Africa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Additionally, Swalleh allegedly facilitated the movement of Isis-affiliated people from Uganda to South Africa and vice versa. Swalleh was apparently sent to South Africa by a DRC-based Isis commander who relied on him to move funds and recruit members for the terror group's DRC affiliate.

‘Swalleh has been involved in robberies and kidnap for ransom,’ stated the US Treasury in 2024. The US Treasury said Nabagala allegedly served as an intermediary for Isis financial flows in central Africa. She has been accused of funding the October 2021 Kampala bombing, which killed one and injured three others. According to the US Treasury, Isis leaders in South Africa have historically used robbery, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom operations to generate funds for the terror group. Akbar, on the other hand, was sanctioned, along with some of his family members, for allegedly being among Farhad Hoomer's associates, notes News24. Hoomer was alleged to be an Isis cell leader based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Akbar was arrested in 2018 by South African authorities along with Hoomer for their alleged involvement in a plan to deploy improvised incendiary devices near a mosque and commercial retail buildings. The group appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court last, where they were charged with kidnapping, attempted murder, and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.