Cape Town couple faces fraud charges over alleged misuse of Islamic studies funds
A Cape Town couple who are alleged to have misused funds from a non-profit organisation have been granted bail in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court.
Shamira Miller, 41, and her husband Siraaj Miller, 48, made their first court appearance on Wednesday.
The couple has been charged with fraud.
The Millers were arrested on Tuesday after a warrant of arrest was executed by members attached to the Crimes Against the State (CATS) and National Priority Violent Crime (NPVC) teams of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks).
The couple is alleged to have received the funds to conduct Islamic studies with underprivileged youth.
“It is reported that during 2018 and 2020 the South African Zakah Fund received an application from the two suspects for financial assistance to conduct Islamic studies and Qur’aan memorisation for underprivileged youth,” Western Cape spokesperson for the Hawks, Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said.
Zakah is a religious obligation in Islam requiring Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth annually to help economically disadvantaged individuals and support the community’s welfare.
The Hawks allege that the suspects used the money for personal travel.
“Both suspects were registered as directors of the South African Zakah Fund and subsequently received an amount of R171,350 in support of the underprivileged youth. The suspects allegedly used the funds for their travelling expenses instead,” Vukubi said.
The court subsequently granted the couple bail. Shamira was granted R1,000 bail while her husband was granted R3,000 bail.
The matter has been postponed until July 27 for an attorney to come on record and for a regional court date to be set.
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