
South Africa Police are investigating a case of assault after a group of white men allegedly attacked two black teens at the Maselspoort Resort outside Bloemfontein on Christmas Day.
According to the victims’ sister, Tumii, the white men tried to prevent her brothers from using what they claim is an ‘only whites’ swimming pool at the resort.
“Family came to spend the day @ MASELSPOORT RESORT & CONFERENCE CENTRE in Free State. My brothers were attacked by these grown men because they are apparently not allowed in the pool as it’s reserved for the “white people”, she said.
A video of the racially-motivated confrontation she posted on Twitter has gone viral on social media
In the video, a white man is seen slapping a 13-year-old boy, who is then thrown back into the pool when he tries to get up. The man then appears to try to choke the 18 year old.
Attempts to break up the confrontation fail and the situation escalates when another man pulls the younger teen’s hair.
A scuffle then ensues with one man pushing one of the boys into the pool and seemingly trying to keep his head under water.
Free State police spokesperson, Brigadier Motantsi Makhele, in a statement said police were called out on Christmas Day, at 15:00 to “a fighting incident taking place at a holiday resort in Bloemfontein”.
Free State Provincial Commissioner Lt-Gen Baile Motswenyane said the incident would receive the “proper attention” from the investigating team.
On her part, Premier Sisi Ntombela said she was disgusted by the video.
According to her, “I have instructed the 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. Racism and such barbaric actions have no place in our province.”
Mohale said he would meet with the management of the Maselspoort Resort and speak to the victims to gather the facts of the incident.