South Africa

WATCH: Family’s Christmas marred by alleged racist attack in Free State resort

A family’s Christmas Day was ruined by an alleged racist attack at the Maselspoort Resort in Oranje, Free State.

A video of the incident, which was shared by Tumii Frost on Twitter, has since gone viral as the country marked the festive holiday.

Christmas Day racist attack

Frost’s father, Brian Nakedi, told The Citizen, the incident happened exactly the way his daughter described on the social media platform.

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Frost said they wanted to spend Christmas Day as a family by the pool.

“Family came to spend the day at Maselspoort Resort and Conference Centre in Free State. My brothers were attacked by these grown men because they are apparently not allowed in the pool as it’s reserved for the ‘white people’ here. The Oranje-Vrystraat we love,” she tweeted.

The video shows details of a scuffle and white adult men physically assaulting her teenage brothers, grabbing them by the neck, punching and pulling their hair.

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It also showed one of the white men actually grabbing one of Tumii’s brothers by the neck into the pool and submerged his head into the water.

ALSO READ: EFF closes Hank’s Olde Irish Pub in Cape Town amid racism claims

No response from resort

The video has sparked outrage on various social media platforms.

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She said a case has been opened against the resort for alleged racism.

“The cops are insisting we open a case of assault as oppose to attempted murder. We’ve been having a back and forth since 14:48.

Tumii claims the management of Maselspoort Resort said the family was overreacting.

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“For the mere fact that the management here are insisting that this is not racially motivated. I’m appalled.”

“Management says we are “overreacting” by the way. I don’t even understand why we support this place!” she tweeted.

The Citizen’s calls to Maselspoort Resort went unanswered at the time of publishing.

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Video

Disclaimer: The video below contains scenes of violence and may not be suitable to sensitive viewers.

Police confirm incident

Meanwhile, police have confirmed they are investigating the incident.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the docket will be taken to court for decision. 

“SAPS members were called to a fighting incident taking place at a holiday resort in Bloemfontein.”

“On arrival, members found the groups already dispersed and were approached by a parent to one of the victims who alleged that his two teenage boys, aged 18 and 13, were assaulted by a group of white males over the usage of a swimming pool,” he said.

Assault

Makhele said Glen police are investigating a case of common assault.

The suspects, who are all white males as seen on the video circulating, were warned to appear in court on a date to be set by the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court.

Free State Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Motswenyane said the incident will receive “proper attention” from the investigating team assigned. 

“We further condemn the behaviour as reflected on the video,” said Motswenyane.

ALSO READ: Racism remains SA’s most stubborn problem, as SAHRC sees spike in complaints

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By Faizel Patel
Read more on these topics: Free Stateracism