Johannesburg - While the police in Bloemfontein are said to be investigating the alleged racial incident that happened at the Maselspoort Resort and Conference Centre on Christmas Day, the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism in the province has condemned the incident where two black teenagers were attacked by a group of white men.
In the video footage, a white man, identified as Kobus Klaasen, is seen slapping a 13-year-old boy, who is subsequently shoved around and thrown back into the pool. And when he tries to get up, the man tries to choke him.
The EFF continues to be the first respondents to racism that is flourishing under Cyril Ramaphosa!
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 26, 2022
Our Free State Chairperson,
Mapheule Liphoko led fighters to Maselspoort Resort, Free State to attend decisively to the racists & all of the apologists! pic.twitter.com/JMq8zVJN5C
Attempts to break up the fight proved futile as more white males entered the scene and tried to pull the hair of an 18-year-old African boy. The video ends with one of the white men dragging the 18-year-old by the head into the pool.
It is alleged that the two brothers, aged 13 and 18, were attacked because they were not allowed to use the pool because of their skin colour, as it is reserved for white people.
MEC Makalo Mohale has indicated that he would be meeting with both the owners of the resort and the parents of the affected victims to try and get to the bottom of the incident.
Mohale said he condemns the racial incident that has put the province under a negative spotlight, adding that such behaviour should never be entertained.
Mohale said the department would make a follow-up with the SAPS and management to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
"I strongly condemn these senseless acts of racism at all costs. This unwanted behaviour should not be entertained in whatever form but to be treated as a matter of urgency.
"Moreover, I strongly encourage both domestic and international tourists to continue visiting the Free State as their preferred destination of choice," he said.
On Monday, following the incident, members of the EFF descended on Maselspoort Resort, where the two black teenagers were allegedly attacked by several old white men at the pool area on Christmas Day. The members of the red beret were led by its provincial chairperson, Maphuele Liphoko, who said they wanted to deal decisively with racism in the area.
Liphoko said the party continues to be the first respondents on any issues of racism following a video of the racial altercation, which was captured by a social media user which has gone viral on Twitter.
In another video shared on social media, EFF members can be seen singing Struggle songs around the pool where the incident occurred.
"The EFF continues to be the first respondents to racism that is flourishing under Cyril Ramaphosa. Our chairperson led fighters to Maselspoort Resort to attend decisively to the racists and all of the apologists," reads a brief statement from the party.
Attempts to get comment from the resort have proven unsuccessful at the time of going to print.
The Star