Azharudin Bhayat was charged with pointing a firearm and assault
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A MAN from Brits in the North West Province was arrested and charged with pointing a firearm and assault after he allegedly attacked a moulana (priest) at his home on Sunday afternoon.
It is alleged that Azharudin Bhayat, 36, had earlier arrived at the Brits Jamiah Mosque with an assault rifle and was looking for a teacher, who had allegedly slapped his son at the madressa, which is attached to the mosque.
The Laudium Sun said according to reports, when the teacher was not found, the gunman allegedly threatened to shoot others and burn down the mosque if he did not present himself.
Colonel Adele Myburg, the spokesperson for the SAPS in the Northwest Province, said no one had opened a case following the alleged incident at the mosque.
But later that day, she said Bhayat saw a moulana on his property and confronted him. An argument ensued and Bhayat allegedly pointed a firearm and assaulted the moulana, who thereafter sought medical treatment.
Myburg said police later went to Bhayat's home to interview him and requested to see his firearm, which, she added, was licensed.
But he had another firearm that did not belong to him.
He was subsequently charged with illegal possession of a firearm.
Myburg said Bhayat did not have a licence, permit or authorisation to keep the second gun.
He appeared in the Brits Magistrate's Court on Tuesday and the case was adjourned to later this month.
The Brits Jamiah Mosque committee did not comment at the time of publication.