LIEFDE EN VREDE – “I was in cape Town to compete in the Two Oceans Marathon on Saturday and staying with my sister who lives in Protea Heights.
“I had gone for a walk on Good Friday morning, dressed in running shoes, a Comrades Marathon jacket and a cap. It was about 09:00 when a vehicle pulled up by me and the driver asked me what I was doing there. He asked me if I worked in the area and I told him I was just taking a walk. He told me I wasn’t allowed to walk in this area without his permission. He then asked to see my ID. I told him I didn’t have it on me,” said Gwe.
Another vehicle from Capital Security arrived on the scene, after the member of the neighbourhood watch had called them and said “there’s a suspicious black guy in the area”.
“I told them why I was here and that I was staying with my sister. I gave them her address and I was told then, everything is fine.
“The next thing the member of the neighbourhood watch told them I was a, ‘f****nhardegat,” and asked to see my ID again,” Gwe said.
An argument ensued with Gwe telling him the era of apartheid is over and the man then called him a black racist. “I told him, ‘in that case so are you.’
“Three other security vehicles then arrived and one of the security guards wanted to search me, grabbed my wrist and I pushed him away.”
A fight broke out between the member of the neighbourhood watch, the security officers and Gwe, resulting in Gwe’s glasses being broken and injuries to his head and legs.
Gwe suffered a contusion to the scalp and injuries to his legs.
Assault charges were laid by Gwe and the member of the neighbourhood watch. The neighbourhood watch member and one of the security officers were arrested, appeared in court and are presently out on bail. Gwe will appear in court on May 19.
“I am very upset about what happened. I had to return home the day after the attack, so never ran the race,” Gwe added.
