A petition is gaining momentum on social media to motivate the courts to deny bail to the accused in the murder of Phoenix resident Muhammed Muzaffar Saib. 

Phoenix police arrested four people on charges of murder, robbery, and kidnapping. They are expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on January 20, 2026. 

Saib was found stabbed to death and dumped in a stream on Wednesday at a park near his home in Whetstone, after he went missing on Monday. He was described as a “dedicated” member of the Phoenix Community Policing Forum (CPF), who worked as an e-hailing driver. 

His body was found by volunteer search teams with multiple stab wounds to his chest, back, and neck. His vehicle was found in Bhambayi, a housing settlement adjacent to Phoenix. 

Denzil Govender, spokesperson for Ground Zero Search and Rescue, said they joined the search on Tuesday.

“Saib left his girlfriend’s residence at around 8pm on Monday. He was supposed to meet his family at Hannaford Garage in Phoenix to assist in recovering a stolen vehicle, but he never showed up at the meeting point. Efforts were made to contact him on his cellphone. However, every attempt resulted in the call being redirected to voicemail,” said Govender. 

Police Spokesperson Captain Ntathu Ndlovu said that on Tuesday, police recovered the victim’s vehicle, abandoned in the Bhambayi area. 

“Preliminary investigations indicated that a known suspect was seen driving the abandoned vehicle. The suspect was tracked down by police and brought in for questioning,” said.

Saib was buried at the Phoenix Muslim Cemetery on Thursday. On Saturday, a petition began circulating by the Redfern and Whetstone Community Forum.

The petition called for the courts to deny bail to those accused of killing Saib. He was also known as Muzi and described in the petition as not only being a CPF member but a community pillar.

Govender said the petition was gathering momentum and thanked the community for their support. 

“Muzi, a member of the CPF and someone who loved his community, was murdered in cold blood. The suspects should not be given bail and the death penalty is requested. Muzi was such a remarkable man. Constantly stepping up to help his community and the communities at large, whether it’s dealing with crime or any other basic need,” the petition stated. 

“Muzi is always the first to offer his assistance, no matter the time of day or night. He never turns down a call for help. The community has lost a hero, and we have lost a beloved son of the soil. We call upon you to stand with us in this time of need for a fallen hero and for justice to be served,” the petition stated. 

If you are keen on signing the petition, you can CLICK HERE.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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