Golf club’s future threatened
On Friday EFF protesters demanded that the City of Mbombela cancel Nelspruit Golf Club's (NGC) lease with the municipality, and make the golf club a public course open to all.
MBOMBELA – They also called for investigations “into the lease and land sold by the club to the Matumi housing estate”, the rates and taxes paid by NGC and the water rights given to the club.
Ancyl and EFF protesters marched separately, and organisation leaders handed over two different memoranda to Nelspruit Golf Club management and executive mayor, Cllr Sibusiso Mathonsi.
Their messages, however, were very similar:
• immediately transform the golf club for equitable opportunities across all racial lines,
• make membership fees affordable for all, AND
• take action against the four white golfers involved in the alleged racist assault against the young black golfer.
READ and WATCH videos about Friday’s march:
Lowvelder reported extensively on the incident which saw him and one of the four white golfers suspended for 18 months by the club, following a internal disciplinary inquiry. These sanctions were suspended for two years. Mabilane also opened a case against the four men.
Cason said, after an appeal, sanctions against Mabilane had been absolved and he was free to play at the club. He added that “police lethargy” may have contributed to the protest and the chaos which ensued at the estate.
Don’t tell me that in seven months they couldn’t have taken these people to court and sorted those charges out? Once that is done, we can know for sure (who the culprits are). Then we can take the matter further,” Cason told Lowvelder.
Monica Nyuswa, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, said Mabilane’s attorney needed to provide further statements pertaining to the case before it could be placed on the court roll.
Last week the club confirmed that millionaire, Robert Gumede had withdrawn his sponsorship of more than R1 million due to “personal reasons”. It is believed the sponsorship was to be used for the annual Jock of the Bushveld tournament which was hosted by NGC last week.
“What we really do not need in this country is unnecessary racial tension. We were there to support the anti-racism march and to make sure there was minimal damage to club property. As party leadership, I think we made sure the march was a peaceful one,” Pilane said.
Unfortunately, there is a strong feeling that the club did not handle the incident involving Mabilane well. Even if a person is insulted or provoked, it gives that person no right to hit anyone.”
Although the march appeared well organised, it was not without incident.
After some negotiation between the police and organisation leaders, the march was allowed to go ahead.
Some Sanco and Ancyl members raided a drinks tent adjacent to the ninth-hole green before leadership managed to calm them down.
WATCH what happened: Protesters raid tee box at Nelspruit golf course
“Management of the club will meet during the week, so that we respond to both memoranda in a timeous manner,” Cason said.
