Maselspoort attack: Blatant racists must be ‘punished severely’

While an outraged public are demanding action regarding the alleged racist altercation at Maselspoort Resort in Bloemfontein, it seems South Africa is still far from defeating the racial divide among its people.

A Free State academic said there are “many cases of blatant racism that go unpunished in the province”.

Sethulego Matebesi, University of the Free State political analyst and associate professor of sociology, said the province has made significant strides in respect of racial tolerance.

Too many racist incidents go unpunished

“However, covert racism that includes racial profiling, and systematic and institutional racist practices are as rife in the Free State, as elsewhere in SA,” Matebesi said.

“I do not believe whites are more intolerant of blacks in the Free State than in other provinces. However, there are too many cases of blatant racism that go unpunished in the province.”

Matebesi added that authorities needed to send a strong message.

Also Read: Maselspoort Resort: Trio arrested for attack on black teens appear in court

“Almost three decades after the new democratic dispensation, such blatant acts of racism should be punished severely. And way too many perpetrators are treated with kids’ gloves,” he said.

“To what else can we ascribe the behaviour of the white men who physically attacked the two black teenagers? Nothing, except hatred for blacks,” he said.

Matebesi said it was sad when such events occurred because they often brought into question the sincerity of white people about racial tolerance and acceptance of the democratic dispensation in South Africa.

Charges upgraded

Free State police have confirmed they would now upgrade the common assault charges against the group of white men who allegedly attacked two black teenagers at the resort on Christmas Day to attempted murder charges.

The change in the charge sheet was made after police acquired more information.

The video of the allegedly racially motivated attack was shared by the teenagers’ sister on Twitter, revealing a group of white adult males preventing the boys, aged 13 and 18, from using the pool.

The men could be seen hitting one of the boys and grabbing him by the neck. Another man jumped into the pool with one of the boys and submerged his head into the water.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said investigators received additional statements, and the docket was presented before a senior state prosecutor.

Also Read: Maselspoort Resort: Charges upgraded to attempted murder  

“It was after obtaining these statements that the docket was presented to the senior state prosecutor, who gave a directive that a charge can be changed to attempted murder, given additional facts,” said Makhele.

Legal expert Mannie Witz said that, in terms of the handling of this case, the statements of witnesses needed to be obtained, and any video or photographic evidence.

He said the public prosecutor will study the evidence and decide what the ultimate charges will be after all evidence has been gathered, and which elements of the offence could constitute a prima facie case to prosecute.

“That is how it works,” he said.

Matter report to SAHRC

Patricia Kopane, political party ActionSA’s Free state provincial chair, said what occurred at the resort was really disturbing, especially after two decades of democracy.

“We still have people who feel they are better than other South Africans, which is really disturbing,” she said.

“For me, Christmas Day, instead of being a joyous day, opened the wounds of where we come from as a society. People need to start seeing that South Africa belongs to everyone.”

Kopane added that the matter had already been reported to the South African Human Rights Commission.

–lungas@citizen.co.za