Allegations of Abuse and Assault: 15 Students to be Questioned by the Police

Title: Allegations of Abuse and Assault: 15 Students to be Questioned by the Police

In a context marked by strong emotion and deep concern, a series of serious allegations against the Twaha Academy Boarding School, an Islamic boarding school located in Pont Lardier, Bel Air/Rivière Sèche, has sparked significant unrest within the educational and religious community. Complaints of physical assaults and abuse have recently been filed with the police, leading to the opening of an official investigation. The reported incidents, still under investigation, involve the alleged behavior of Azhar Peerbocus, the Acting Principal of the institution. As parents and former students provide disturbing testimonies, authorities are working to accurately establish the facts in a case of particular sensitivity given the age of the children involved.

Investigators from the Family Protection Brigade (BPF), in collaboration with the Bel Air police, possess a list of the 15 students who attended the Twaha Academy Boarding School at the time of the alleged incidents.

By the end of the week, four separate complaints for physical assault and abuse had been recorded by the police. The affected children are being asked to share their experiences to explain the behavior attributed to Azhar Peerbocus in their interactions within the institution. The investigators aim to correlate the accounts of the complainants, who accuse the religious leader of abuse, physical assaults, and supplying cigarettes to certain students.

Procedures Initiated

According to information provided by the police, Azhar Peerbocus left Mauritian territory before the complaints were officially recorded. The Central Barracks plan to initiate the necessary procedures to locate him in South Africa. It is indicated that the suspect boarded flight SA 191 to Johannesburg on April 1, armed with a one-way ticket. The following day, on April 2, two children reportedly formally denounced cases of abuse and assault in complaints filed with the Bel Air Rivière Sèche police. Meanwhile, authorities have called on anyone who believes they are a victim of this religious leader to come forward and contribute to the ongoing investigation.

As this case becomes increasingly publicized, an audio recording circulating on social media has added weight to an already sensitive case. This recording, attributed to a phone conversation between Mufti Azhar Peerbocus and a student, contains concerning remarks. A voice attributed to the religious leader allegedly discusses a promise to offer Rs 1,000 to a child in exchange for silence. It notably suggests concealing certain facts, as indicated by this excerpt: "If asked if another child sleeps in my room, say no, even if you get beaten and they pressure you, you say no."

Based on the content of this audio, this sum was allegedly promised in exchange for maintaining silence. Authorities have not yet confirmed the authenticity of this recording, which is now part of the elements to be verified in the investigation.

As testimonies continue to multiply, a series of accounts detail what are deemed unacceptable practices within this Islamic boarding school. Parents and former students speak of a climate of fear, physical violence, intimidation, and possible exposure to illicit substances. The emotion is palpable within the educational and religious community, where many questions have emerged regarding the control and supervision mechanisms within certain structures accommodating minors. Several voices are calling on authorities to act swiftly to ensure the protection of children and to clarify these accusations.

A Parent: "Threats, Violence, and Shocking Practices"

Another parent provides a testimony following revelations made by his son. He describes intimidation and behaviors he finds shocking. "When my son told me about this problem, I told him to be careful," he explains. He claims that before even taking steps, Azhar Peerbocus came to his home accompanied by two individuals. "Azhar Peerbocus came to my house with two people who were supposed to beat my son," he claims, indicating that the religious leader accused his son of spreading rumors.

Suspecting that his child held concrete evidence, this parent says he became aware of a troubling recording. "I heard that student tell my son not to say anything because they have to stay there for another year," he recounts. Even more seriously, this audio would reference inappropriate behaviors. "He said not to say that the teacher was very inappropriate. After that, he placed his hands on the student... made the student sit on him..." we hear in a recording circulating on social media. In light of the seriousness of these remarks, the parent calls for severe sanctions and a thorough investigation.

Another parental testimony reinforces this feeling of concern. "We need to sanction the imam," he asserts, explaining that he chose this establishment to protect his child from bad influences and to provide quality education.

Faizah, a Mother: "I Did Not Expect Something Like This"

In Défi Plus, the mother of one of the affected students expresses her confusion and anger following the revelations. Faizah, whose name has been changed, confides that she is still deeply shaken by what she has learned. "I can't believe it. I was shocked when I heard this; I did not expect something like this," she says, her voice heavy with emotion. She explains that she enrolled her child in the Twaha Academy Boarding School in complete confidence, convinced that she would find a safe environment conducive to both Islamic and academic education.

During the admission process, she claims she was fully reassured by the support in place. "Imam Luckheea presented me with the teachers for Islamic and academic education. The principal assured me that the children would be safe and kept away from bad influences." However, in hindsight, certain elements have troubled this confidence. Faizah claims to have witnessed scenes of violence involving her child. "Several times I spoke with Mufti Peerbocus when he was beating my child," she recounts. According to her, the explanations provided by the principal deeply shocked her. "He said if he was getting beaten when he was still a student," she confides, adding firmly: "Here in Mauritius, we do not beat."

Physical Violence

The mother describes a child living in fear, unable to oppose the authority of the Mufti. "My child could not contradict him," she asserts, referring to a relationship marked by intimidation. She also speaks of harsh living conditions within the boarding school. "When I was asking him questions, my son told me they wake up very early and do not have time to review their Islamic lessons," she explains. The imposed rhythm seemed particularly demanding to her. "They are tired, they sleep late, they wake up early, and they get a lot of homework." Yet, during the weekends spent at home, nothing hinted at such a situation. "On weekends, when my son comes home, I found him normal because of that, I was not taking it into account," she confides today.

Faizah now directly accuses Azhar Peerbocus of inflicting physical violence on her child. "He himself was the one who was beating him," she asserts. These revelations add to other consistent testimonies regarding abuse within this institution. She now hopes that the investigation will bring the truth to light and prevent other children from experiencing a similar situation. "I never would have expected something like this to happen," she repeats, still in shock.

A Former Boarder: "He Forced Us to Consume Illicit Products"

The testimony of a former boarder reinforces the gravity of the accusations. The student recounts a daily life marked by fear, violence, and intimidation. "Mufti Azhar Peerbocus sometimes beat us with his hands, sometimes with a cane. For nothing, we would get beaten, sometimes just because we didn’t read well," he states. He also mentions insults and language he deems inappropriate. "There is no valid reason for him to beat us, and he uses very vulgar language."

A specific incident that occurred during Ramadan deeply affected him. "During Ramadan, I misplaced the Quran. He punched me in the mouth and I bled. After that, he put a vase on my head and told me not to tell my mom anything." Beyond physical violence, the former student describes a rigorous daily routine. "We wake up at 4:30 for Quran lessons, after prayer, we had breakfast and academic lessons starting at 8:10," he recounts. The afternoon left little room for rest. "At 14:40, we rested a bit after eating before resuming Islamic lessons, then we would go to sleep."

The account takes on an even more alarming dimension when the former boarder mentions the consumption of illicit substances. "The Mufti brought school products. He locked the door and confined us in his room and forced us to consume them," he alleges. According to him, the students acted under coercion and fear. "He told us not to tell our parents anything, otherwise he would beat us. Out of fear, we were forced to consume those substances without knowing what they were. He describes the effects felt: "I felt dizzy, my head was heavy and I remained seated without moving." Out of fear of retaliation, he did not dare to confide directly in his parents and sought the help of a friend to alert them.

When the situation was reportedly brought to the attention of adults, steps were said to have been taken. "My parents spoke to him. He denied it..." claims the former student. According to his account, measures were then taken by the administration. "Imam Luckheea was removed," he indicates. All of these elements remain at the center of the verifications conducted by the authorities.

The Jummah Mosque Calls for Strict and Immediate Measures

In the face of serious allegations of child abuse in a religious educational setting, the Jummah Mosque has broken its silence. In an unequivocal statement, the institution firmly condemns any act of abuse and emphasizes the need for increased vigilance. Through the voice of Bilaal Salemohamed, a member of the Jummah Mosque Committee, it reminds that "sexual predators can be found everywhere" and that such acts must be reported with the utmost rigor.

The mosque insists on the urgency of strengthening control mechanisms within Islamic educational institutions. Background checks, staff reference checks, and the requirement for morality certificates are among the measures mentioned. "At the slightest doubt, it is imperative to act to ensure the safety of children," emphasizes Bilaal Salemohamed, calling for swift and concrete actions.