The Springboks have sent words of condolences and encouragement following the brutal murder of Mr Zukisa Kela at Rhodes Park.
A teacher at Westbury Secondary School, Mr Kela and his friend, along with their wives, were attacked by 12 men at the park on Saturday.
The men tied up Mr Kela and his friend and threw them into the lake. They also raped one of the women they were with and attempted to rape the second woman.
It is believed the suspects were interrupted by a man who responded to the calls from the drowning men, who were calling for help. When the suspects saw there was someone aware of their crime, they fled the scene.
The police were called to the scene. The bodies of Mr Kela and his friend were retrieved by police divers later that evening.
Springbok wing, Bryan Habana, paid tribute to Mr Kela.
In a statement from the South African Rugby Union (SARU), Habana said the 25-year-old teacher’s last words to the school’s principal on Friday were “Viva MaBokoboko viva”.
Habana said Mr Kela revived rugby at his school as the sport coordinator.
“We are playing for each other as a team and for all South Africans from all walks of life, who experience the highs and lows of life on a daily basis, but this week there is one fan who is particularly in our thoughts,” said Habana.
“On behalf of the Springboks, to Zukisa Kela’s family, friends and school community as well as to the families of the other victims of the attack, you are in our thoughts and prayers after Saturday’s tragic incident. For us, to see the passion he had for the Springboks, makes playing for the Boks and representing South Africa so much more special,” said Habana.
He said this goes for other victims of crime. Even those who have never been reported on in the press.
He said their experiences are just as tragic.
“We live in a wonderful country but not without challenges, where tragic events happen daily. We’ve always said that we want to unite and bring together South Africans from all walks of life, to give some form of hope and instill pride,” said Habana.
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