A SOCIAL get-together turned nasty for three Richards Bay women who were allegedly assaulted and racially attacked outside a bar in Essenwood Way, Arboretum on Friday night.
According to one of the victims, Anita Ntombela, her sister and friend had been enjoying drinks at the bar and invited her to join them.
The two left to fetch Ntombela, however, when they returned, they were refused entry by men standing at the entrance and told to go somewhere else.
It is believed a brawl followed and the women were man-handled, bruised and beaten and sustained injuries while having racial remarks directed at them.
‘It was Human Rights Day and we were just looking for a spot to hang out, relax and enjoy some drinks.
‘It is appalling that in this day and age, racism is still so rife in our communities.
‘We were told to go away as this was ‘not a place for Blacks’ and they would continue to beat us up if we did not listen,’ Ntombela said.
‘We argued that this was not a ‘whites only’ area and the group of men really got upset and began wrestling us, throwing my friend down the stairs and assaulting us.
‘The three of us had to receive medical attention and my friend sustained a twisted ankle,’ she said.
The matter was reported to the Richards Bay SAPS and a case was opened.
Attempts to contact the bar for comment were unsuccessful.
