Central SA
SAPS confirms Maselspoort conflict case─── TSHEHLA KOTELI 12:30 Tue, 27 Dec 2022
The South African Police Service has confirmed that they are busy investigating the Christmas Day conflict at Maselspoort Resort and Conference Centre.
According to the Free State SAPS spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, police are investigating the alleged assault of two teenage boys by older men while at the resort in Bloemfontein.
ALSO READ: Ruling party weighs in on Maselspoort video
Makhele says on 25 December, Glen police officials were called to a fighting incident taking place at the holiday resort. On arrival, members found the groups already dispersed and were approached by the parent of one of the victims who alleged that his two teenage boys, aged 18 and 13, were assaulted by a group of white men over the usage of a swimming pool.
Makhele says the docket will be taken to court for a decision.
The suspects were warned to appear in court on a date to be set by the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court.
ALSO READ: MEC to meet with management of Free State resort over racism allegations
At the moment, a date for their appearance has not been communicated.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) in Mangaung has also noted the video with shock and outrage.
According to a media statement by the party, the ANC in the region views the incident as particularly unfortunate and deserving of unambiguous condemnation.
Their media statement further reveals that many people have a thorough understanding of the destructive impact of racism.
Due to the abovementioned reason, the ANC calls on law enforcement to embark on a full-scale investigation into the matter and to make arrests.
The MEC of the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea) has since called an urgent meeting with the management of Maselspoort.
The urgent meeting comes after a video went viral on Christmas Day with allegations that there is a swimming pool at Maselspoort reserved for white people only.
MEC Makalo Mohale says the meeting with the management is to gather all the facts.
He is also hoping to get in touch with the victims.
The video in question shows two black teenage boys in a fight with a number of older white men.
The person who posted the video makes the allegations in the caption that her brothers (the two black teenage boys) were attacked because they are apparently not allowed in the swimming pool as it is reserved for white people.