The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, known as the Crimes Against the State (CATS) team, has arrested 35-year-old Ziyadh Hoorzook for allegedly contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA).
Hoorzook appeared briefly at the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court, and his case has been postponed to January 10, 2025, for a formal bail application.
The suspect, a South African resident, was apprehended at his Johannesburg home following an extensive investigation that began in May 2018. This investigation was initiated after the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and the Hawks received information about suspicious transactions that were potentially linked to terror financing.
It is alleged that Hoorzook purchased R11,500 worth of Bitcoin through Luno, a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP), on November 30, 2017. The cryptocurrency was then transferred from Hoorzook’s Luno wallet to another wallet linked to an organization that presents itself as an independent charity.
Further investigation revealed that this charity is reportedly associated with two other organizations. It is believed that the funds were transferred in response to an appeal for financial support for activities involving weapons, financial aid, and other projects aiding participants in a foreign country.
A search warrant was executed at Hoorzook’s Sandton residence on October 3, 2024, leading to the seizure of several pieces of evidence. During the search, authorities also discovered that two of Hoorzook’s licensed firearms were not securely stored as required by law, resulting in an additional case being opened.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities continue to probe the alleged terror financing activities linked to the suspect.
