Attackers armed with guns and knives struck a mosque outside the South African city of Durban today, stabbing to death an imam and seriously injuring two others, medical officials have said.
The three attackers escaped in a Hyundai car from the Imam Hussain mosque in Verulam town on the outskirts of the eastern port city.
Police said the men entered the large mosque after midday prayers and stabbed three people.
"They further set certain rooms alight and fled in their getaway vehicle," police spokeswoman Nqobile Gwala said in a statement.
"The motive of the attack on the three men is unknown at this stage. Verulam police are investigating three counts of attempted murder and arson." Paul Herbst, spokesman for the private IPSS medical rescue service, told AFP that the imam "who had his throat slit, passed away a few minutes ago due to his injuries." "There were three people in the mosque -- a caretaker, a worshipper and the imam and they were held up by three armed men," Herbst said after visiting the scene.
"The priest was tied up and thrown to his knees and his throat was slit. The other two men were also stabbed -- one was stabbed in the abdomen and the other in the groin of his left leg.
"Before the assailants left the mosque, a petrol bomb was thrown into the mosque and it was set alight.
"The attackers managed to get out of the mosque. The imam was in a critical condition. He was treated by paramedics on the scene and transferred (to hospital). "Fire services were on scene and put the blaze under control."