Johannesburg – Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have descended on the Masselspoort resort complex in Bloemfontein, Free State, where a burly white man was filmed choking a small black boy allegedly for swimming in a pool “reserved for whites”.
The EFF members were reacting to a video that went viral showing the racist assault. They came in their numbers and could be seen in and around the swimming pool and on swings.
The incident has also drawn the ire of Free State Premier Sefora Hixsonia “Sisi” Ntombela who has expressed her “disgust” at the Christmas Day racist attack on children.
“I have instructed DESTEA [Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs] MEC Makalo Mohale to deal with the matter with the urgency it deserves and engage law enforcement agencies,” said Premier Sisi Ntombela.
“Racism and such barbaric actions have no place in our province “
Condemning the “senseless acts of racism” MEC Mohale added, “that this unwanted behaviour should never be entertained”.
The DESTEA said MEC Mohale was following up with the police and would be meeting with the management of Masselspoort to gather all the facts and get in touch with the victims.
“Thus far, the incident has been identified as one element that remains a threat to the revival of the tourism sector,” said the MEC.
Communities have been urged to report any incident of racism to the police.
Commenting on the incident, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said she “has noted with utter disgust reports of a racist attack by a group of white men on black children”.
Susulu added: “I call on law-enforcement agencies to deal with this matter decisively and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book to send an eloquent message that incidents of racism have no place in our democracy.”
She also came out in support of steps taken so far by the Free State Provincial Government to deal with the matter with the urgency it deserves and to engage law enforcement agencies.
The minister warned that incidents of racism at tourist facilities negatively impact the sector.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday added its voice to the mounting chorus of condemnation of the racist violence at the complex.
DA Free State leader, Roy Jankielsohn, said his party “strongly condemns the violent incident involving adult men assaulting children at a resort. The incident was recorded and is now being widely distributed on social media.
“The parents of the minors are encouraged to lay criminal charges for a thorough investigation by the South African Police Service.
“While we understand the anger that such incidents cause, we discourage the deliberate distribution of online material that may inflame and further racial intolerance.
“‘We must be united in our condemnation of all acts of violence in our province and country.
“‘We must allow the law to take its course in the fight against all crimes, no matter what the motivation behind them.”
