The Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court in North West is expected to make a ruling on the bail application of terror financing accused, Ziyadh Hoorzook.
Ziyadh Hoorzook (35) was arrested on 3 January 2025 in his home in Sandton, Johannesburg. Hoorzook faces a charge of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.
This is after it was discovered that on 30 November 2017, Hoorzook transferred cryptocurrency in the form of bitcoin worth R11 500, to an external organisation that is linked to terrorist activities. In his defence, Hoorzook claimed that he sent an innocent donation to a charity organisation, he had just seen an advertisement on.
It was in 2018 when the Hawks together with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) received information about suspicious transactions, allegedly linked to terror financing. In May 2018 the extensive investigation was lodged.
On 3 October 2024, the Hawks launched a search and seizure at Hoorzook’s property, where certain item were seized for further investigation, which then led to his recent arrest. Amongst the seized item were two licensed firearms registered to Hoorzook that he allegedly failed to secure in proper manner. He faces another charge for that.
Hoorzook is expected to make his fifth court appearance soon. The Hawks together with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that because of the seriousness of these charges, they are confident that they have a watertight case against the accused. They said that there are mant possible charges expected to be added as the investigation continues.
In the meantime, the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court is still yet to make a ruling on Hoorzook’s bail application.
