Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) members gathered outside recreational facility on 14 December to picket against an employee who is accused of assaulting and allegedly lashing out racial slurs to one of their own.
The victim, Rifilwe Sebola (19) from Ruimsig Peacock, an informal settlement in the area, told Roodepoort Northsider during the picket, on 10 December, that he was assaulted by the man and labelled as a “monkey” for wearing an EFF beret.
“I was at a service station waiting to direct an ambulance for an emergency that had happened in my area when this man arrived there and started shaming me for wearing my beret,” he said.
He added that the man explained his aggression. “He said he was once a soldier and I had no reason to be wearing my beret because ‘I’m a useless monkey’,” Sebola alleged.
He further explained he was left traumatised after they kicked him. “I felt like I had lost my dignity and respect for white people,” Sebola said.
EFF’s Ward 97 Proportionate Representative councillor and picket organiser, Donald Mabunda, said assaulting someone and calling them a”monkey” because of their political affiliation is a crime. “We are hands on with this matter. What this man did to our member is racist and we will be approaching the police and Human Rights Commission to intervene,” he said.
Several attempts to get comment from the club or the employee, who is known to the publication were unsuccessful. However, a receptionist confirmed receiving of our calls. She said she was unable to comment and we would have to wait for management for who were unavailable at the time.
