UNIFIED: 200 strong in the pursuit of justice
Chinese business owners and their employees were determined to be heard.
Their mission was clear.
Braving the early winter cold, Chinese business owners and approximately 200 of their employees gathered outside the Madadeni Court this morning.
As a unified body, the crowd waved banners, declaring no bail should be given to the two men accused of murdering Xioming ‘Steven’ Zhang.
“This is not only for the Chinese, but for the local people too. Our association has invested in the community and after this case, we do not feel safe and neither do our employees,” said David Yang, chairperson of the Newcastle Textile and Clothing Association.
The two suspects were supposed to have appeared in court for their bail hearing. However, it was postponed due to one of the suspects’ attorney not being able to make an appearance.
Nancy Wen, chairperson of the Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, said she joined the ranks of the protest to show her support for the greater good.
“I am here to support the Chinese community, as well as the justice system and South African law. If these people get bail, it will only encourage them. The murderers need to receive a sentence fitting their crime,” she said.
Jua Su, a local Chinese business owner, said he felt it was imperative the men did not receive bail.
“In the past year, four factories have been robbed by armed men. I was also recently robbed by six men and they beat me and my wife before taking our money and fleeing.”
Oscar Lin, a store owner in Madadeni, said he too was affected by crime.
“When I first came to Madadeni four years ago, it was not so bad. But things have gotten worse. About two years ago, I was helping a friend at his shop when men came with guns to rob us. My friend died a month later because of the robbery.”
The men believed to be responsible for Mr Zhang’s death were arrested by Detective Sergeant Renesh Sewlal, a mere three days after the murder, and a day before his heart wrenching memorial which was held last Tuesday afternoon, June 2.
The men were found hiding in Nongoma.
Alex Liu, chairperson of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said business owners were concerned for their saftey, as well as the saftey for their employees.
“This crime was committed by employees and people are concerned. We want justice in this case, in order to restore the confidence of employers, as well as restoring the relationships between them and their employees,” Mr Liu concluded.
