[ad_1]
The Springs community was left to falter after an alleged racist attack against a 17-year-old boy in the hands of a farmer.
The boy, who admitted to being in the small farmer's property in Strubenvale, said that he was hiding from a group of dogs that had chased him while on the farm. He was riding a bike.
However, the farmer said that he thought the boy was trying to steal him
. The incident, which resulted in reprisal threats from the boy's father and the local community police forum, was broken. relative peace in the region on the outskirts of the mining town.
Matimba Baloyi was visiting his father, Russell, in Springs during the school holidays when he was attacked by dogs during a bike ride.
He escaped and found himself on what he thought was an empty patch just down the street from his father's house, in the suburb of Strubenvale.
"A man came behind me and hit me.When I tried to get up, two other men came with dogs and they kicked me. They accused me of having tried to steal and I explained to them that the dogs were chasing me and that I was just trying to escape them, "he said.
Baloyi argues that Attack against his son was motivated by racial considerations.Fielding fears of land had prompted this community to rally behind the farmer.
The farmer, reluctant to speak, denied the allegations, refused to give his name and ordered City Press to leave his country.
According to the title deeds, the small farm is registered under the name of Petrus Albertus van der Walt.
The farmer said his son found Matimba on the back of their property in what appeared to be an attempted robbery, but denied having molested Matimba.
"The boy was not beaten.It's a big lie.I found the boy at the back of my house.He said he was afraid of my neighbor's dogs, but the dogs did not chase him. "
The farmer claimed that the Baloyis had kidnapped and badaulted his 17-year-old employee after coming to his home.
"They kidnapped him and they beat him but I did not lay charges."
The farmer then began taking pictures of the City Press reporters and the company car. I have to understand, we live on the farm and every day farmers are attacked, and there are murders. We can not accept that everyone who enters our premises is a good guy. "
Abductions
Matimba stated that the incident, which occurred on July 7, had made him insecure. [19659002]" I feel that this is not not the first time it happens. They probably have already done something like this to other people, "he said.
When he heard what had happened, the boy's father decided to do something about it. confronting the people involved
"Seeing that they were people I did not know, I took one of my friends home, we found a young man who said that he was only a worker and he was not involved in the aggression, "Baloyi said.
Baloyi said that the young man offered to take them to the alleged perpetrators – his employer and the son of his employer.
They went to town, but they could not find them, so they took the young man back to the Strubenvale plot.
"We found four men and my son confirmed that those who attacked him were not among them. The four men accused us of kidnapping the employee we had found at home, "he added.
Baloyi said the situation was disturbing and that they had decided to leave, but their exit was blocked by cars some of which bore the logo of the local community police forum
"As we moved away, about 40 or 50 cars blocked the road. The guys came out with small arms, telling us to get out of the car. I have never been so scared in my life. I could not protect myself or my son. We had so many guns on us, "he said.
" After a moment of discussion, they realized that what they were doing was not necessary. They told me that now that they knew my son, he was now free to play in the area, "Baloyi added.
Lucas Joubert, head of the Strubenvale CPF, confirmed that he was not allowed to play in the area. he was there, but not as a PCF member.
"We were not closing him. We were stationed there after we all received calls and messages from the farmer, who was in distress after his employee, also under his tutelage, was kidnapped. It's a narrow road, but they could have left when they wanted, "said Joubert
" Mr. Baloyi should have gone to the police. We have the right to protect our families and properties. The farmer had the right to protect himself. "We were there because Mr. Baloyi had badaulted and kidnapped a 17-year-old boy. We were nice to Mr. Baloyi but he was aggressive. He made racist remarks and he threatened us and he told us that he knew the politicians. Mr. Baloyi's friend had a gun and people with rifles took his own because he had his own, "adds Joubert.
Baloyi argues that neither he nor his friend Had a gun and that he had not kidnapped the boy.No of us had a firearm.If we had guns, these men we would have shot at it. "
Police reaction
Baloyi went to the police station to open a case, and two policemen accompanied him to the house.
"Father and son gave the police their version of the facts and they showed the police videos on their phones – videos and photos that they had taken of my son when they l & rsquo; And hit us when they confronted us. It makes me angry that these videos and photos are being broadcast to everyone in the community now, "he added.
The 42-year-old father said he was threatened with kidnapping charge when he opened a case against them.
Baloyi did not doubt that his son's badault was racist.
"There is no question about it . We have never even raised the question of race; they raised it. They said that there was the issue of land in the country and that black people want to take land from whites. They said that as whites, when they see a black man on their land, they worry and have to defend themselves. "
Joubert told Baloyi that the incident did not concern race or racism
." Everything should not have to do with race, but it had transformed it, "he said. he says.
Joubert said that they would wait for Baloyi to make a move
"There is no definite period when one can open a case. We could also open a case against him and take all possible avenues, "he said.
Baloyi sought advice from the South African Human Rights Commission, but did not What we explained to them was that there were possible violations of human rights and human dignity, but I would also like the police to do their job, "he said.
Angie Makwetla, of the commission, said that they could not do anything until Baloyi filed a complaint.
"Our job is to investigate whether his son's rights have been violated and if so who have been raped … according to what he said, it seems that There is a violation of her rights, "she said.
Springs Police spokesman Captain Johannes Ramphora said the PCF was working hand in hand with the police.
"The CPF is like our eyes and ears, we work together to fight crime in the community of Strubenvale, we meet monthly to discuss crime issues and how best to deal with them."
Baloyi has lived in the area for about four years and said that the incident had caused him uncomfortable problems – his son was supposed to be comfortable at home and should to have freedom of movement, but could not because it was black
"I thought that my son's generation would be much better. But after what he saw that day, I had to tell him that there were a lot of people who died fighting the same attitude we saw that day. " , said Baloyi
"These are things that we have to deal with as a country, on another level. Yes, we know that there is the problem of land restitution. If this thing is not properly handled, it will cause a big problem in our country. "
Source link
