The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, has confirmed that it has closed its investigation into a December 2024 incident in which an improvised explosive device was thrown into the offices of Cape Town’s Jewish community, citing insufficient evidence to proceed.
The confirmation comes weeks after the SA Jewish Report published an article headlined, “Undetonated Cape Town bomb ‘100% a terrorist attack’”, based on an independent investigation conducted by Israeli legal organisation Shurat HaDin.
The organisation alleged that the incident had been carried out by “Islamic extremists” and described it as an attempted act of terrorism.
However, Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi told One Nation Media (ONM) that the official police investigation had concluded without identifying sufficient evidence to continue.
“The matter was investigated by the Hawks and there was not enough evidence to proceed with the investigation, hence it is closed as undetected.”
The Hawks’ findings differ from those reported by the SA Jewish Report, which relied on Shurat HaDin’s private forensic investigation.
According to the report, the Israeli organisation claimed it had identified those responsible and concluded that the attempted bombing was “100%” a terrorist attack motivated by anti-Jewish extremism.
The SA Jewish Report further reported that Shurat HaDin had accused South African authorities of failing to act on evidence it said had been submitted to police.
Responding to the Hawks’ decision to close the case, South African anti-Zionist Jewish activist Megan Choritz criticised what she described as a recurring attempt to portray the Zionist community as victims.
“My name is Megan. I’m a South African, I’m a Jew, I’m an anti-Zionist, and I remain constantly surprised by how South African Zionists are capable of playing the victim.”
She further alleged that there was “often a manufacturing of victimhood, a manufacturing of incidents in order to declare the Jewish Zionist community victims of something or another”, arguing that attention should instead remain focused on Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
“If there are any people who are expressing anti-Zionist opinions, that doesn’t trump the true horror of what is happening, which is a genocide in occupied Palestine. And so these desperate attempts must stop,” she told ONM.
Choritz also confirmed that she is currently facing legal action from Professor Adam Mendelsohn.
“With regard to my own case, I’m being sued for defamation by Adam Mendelsohn, which is common knowledge. We’re in the process of filing my plea, so we’re keeping it confidential until the plea has been filed. But yes, Adam Mendelsohn is suing me for defamation.”
The Hawks have not publicly identified any suspects in connection with the December 2024 incident.
With the case now classified as “undetected”, no criminal prosecution is expected unless new evidence emerges.
One Nation Media contacted the Cape Town Jewish community for comment on the Hawks’ findings.
A representative said she would consult the South African Jewish Board of Deputies regarding an official response. No comment had been received by the time of publication.
