| VEREENIGING. – The Democratic Alliance (DA) Regional Chairperson and Midvaal Local Municipality Executive Mayor Bongani Baloyi wants the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate the reported racial attack suffered by 57-year-old Lazarus Malatji in Vereeniging recently.
This is after the father of two was allegedly beaten by a 22-year-old white male who repeatedly called Malatji the ‘K-word’ during the assault. The alleged assailant reportedly continued uttering the racial slur at police officers who arrived at the scene. Malatji reportedly drove up a one-way road, without realising and this is what allegedly prompted the culprit to follow and attempt to block Mr Malatji’s car. When the man finally caught up with Mr Malatji at the service station, he punched and beat Mr Malatji while hurling the racial slur at him. Baloyi says, “The DA welcomes that charges of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm have been laid against the alleged assailant. However, the matter cannot stop there. The racial motivation behind this reported attack must be dealt with. “The DA is committed to change that brings order and builds one South Africa for all. Our constitution dictates that South Africans are equal and states in no uncertain terms that there is no room for racism in our democracy.’ Speaking to another publication, Malatji said that this was the first time he went through something like that, adding that as old as he is, he could barely defend himself. |
