Racial attack shocker

THE SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in the North West has condemned the alleged racial attack on National Arts Council of SA chairperson Hartley Ngoato, describing it as a heinous and a barbaric act.

The prominent lawyer and businessman was reportedly assaulted and called the k-word at the Schoemansville Oewerklub near Hartbeespoort Dam.

There is no place in our society for violent white supremacists who think they are above the law and have the inherent right to bully and trample on the human rights and dignity of their compatriots.

Ngoato alleged that after he had spent about four hours on the water on Sunday afternoon, a white man rudely approached his window, accusing him of nearly knocking over his son.

He alleged that the man attacked him with a weapon, which left Ngoato bleeding and on the floor. He sustained severe lacerations to the head, bruises and cuts to his face as a result of having his face pummelled into the concrete ground. His left leg was scarred, his right hand swollen and face bruised.

The candidate attorney Ngoato had taken out for a ride on the dam, Thembelani Mpakati, was allegedly held back by other men when he tried to assist Ngoato.

Provocative racist acts of the nature that Ngoato was subjected to undermine national unity, reconciliation and social cohesion.

Those who still think certain amenities in our country such as access to resorts around Hartbeespoort Dam are the sole preserve of whites are polarising racial relations when the country needs to be soberly contributing solutions to redress land dispossession. The government must consider terminating lease agreements with private clubs that promote exclusivity which is subtle racism.

Ngoato’s attacker, who is out on bail after appearing in the Brits Magistrate’s Court, must face the full wrath of the law.