War of words at Elysium beach leads to race row

CLAIMS of racism on the South Coast have surfaced after an altercation between municipal workers and a family at Elysium.

This after the ‘k-word’ was allegedly used in a war of words between workers and a local resident. On the morning of May 20, a man (18) staying with friends took his host’s dog to the beach at Elysium.

Municipal workers, not in uniform, were in close proximity to where he had parked the family’s bakkie.

He and the two female workers exchanged friendly greetings and he continued on to the beach. When he made his way back to the vehicle after the walk, he spotted a group of people – later established to be the same municipal workers – heading in the same direction.

ALSO READ: Penny Sparrow pleads guilty

He decided to hang back as he was unsure as to how the pitbull would react. Not long after, he saw what he described as ‘a mob of men brandishing pangas’ who appeared to be trying to force their way into the bakkie.

Fearful for his safety, he hid in the bush and contacted the family with whom he was staying. In a WhatsApp voice note, a woman can be heard asking the Elysium 911 community forum to send security to the beach. The teen’s host, aged 47, went down to the beach with his 19-year-old son.

Unsure of what he would be faced with, he armed himself with a pellet gun, panga and a stick.

“When we arrived at the beach people were hacking at the bakkie with pangas, presumably trying to break into the vehicle,” he said.

An argument ensued, during which the man said he and his son were verbally abused and threatened with pangas. “They ordered us to leave,” he said.

When the two female municipal workers spotted the pellet gun, they told the group, and things subsequently cooled down. The man called out to teen who was hiding in the bush with the dog and they left.

ALSO READ: Racial incident at Scottburgh KFC condemned

Shortly thereafter, Elysium 911 community forum members arrived and asked the group if they had intended to steal the vehicle, which was later inspected by a panel beater who determined the damage to be about R5000.

Umdoni Municipality mayor Thabani Dube released a press statement, condemning the alleged ill-treatment of the municipal workers.

“A case against the perpetrators has been opened at the Scottburgh SAPS and we strongly believe the law will give serious attention to this matter,” said Umdoni Municipality communications officer, Sphelele Cele.

The matter is now being investigated by the Hibberdene Saps.

The statement said that municipal workers were at the site where the bakkie was parked and moments later, a sedan sped towards them.

“Two men stepped out. One was in possession of a firearm, knife and another weapon. The man accused the workers of trying to steal the bakkie. He apparently used foul language, swearing, cursing and calling them the ‘k’ word,” said Ms Cele.

The men, however, have refuted these claims, saying that no such language had been used and that they were more concerned about getting the friend to safety as they believed that the men were trying to break into the vehicle.

Elysium 911, indirectly linked to the incident, has demanded an apology and a retraction of the press release.

Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram