Zakiyyya's death: a year on, protest against police negligence

A year has passed since Zakiyya Moosa’s death with no developments made and no justice served. N. Holhudhoo residents came out to protest again today.

Zakiyya was found dead in the storage area near the kitchen of her Newlife house on the morning of 10th September last year. Some residents of the island are alleging that she was murdered. Due to this, a lot of protests have taken place calling for justice.

During the protest, residents were expressing concern over the fact that the crime scene was unravelled by the police before the forensic team could arrive at the scene, with pictures not having been taken properly as well.

Protesters were wearing black clothing and were calling for the investigation to be expedited and alleged police negligence so far in the case.

The National Integrity Commission has requested criminal prosecution against some police officers regarding the investigation in to Zakiyya’s death, which includes Police Commissioner Ismail Naveen, Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Riyaz and the Head of Major Crime Department, Chief Superintendent Hassan Shifau.

“No matter how hard people may try to stop us, we won’t. We call for the 7 individuals you’ve decided to charge to have them be charged and to see justice for Zakiyya’s death,” as was said by an individual speaking at the protest.

Among the accusations against the police are abuse of an official position, obstruction of justice, obstruction of state institutions and misuse of the deceased.

A witness who saw Zakiyya said that her head had almost been severed from her body.

Zakiyya’s family and some Holhudhoo residents allege that Zakiyya, someone who was receiving treatment for mental issues, did not kill herself and that she was murdered by someone or more than one person.