Beaufort West incident highlights racial tensions faced by black students

A racist confrontation in Beaufort West has highlighted the experiences of black students in the town. 

In the latest incident, captured on video, female Black African students were allegedly confronted by two white males near their residence after visiting a food outlet on Monday.

One of the white males sprays a liquid, which is understood to be water from a spray can, and chases a student while hurling racial slurs, “I will remove your blackness, I will change you.”

The videos of the incident were shared on social media, where the man can be seen running after the student and in another, he is attempting to enter their residency with the water can.

A third video shows angry community members confronting the man, who is a neighbour of the women, outside of his home. 

Words were exchanged and the man claimed he had anointed the water while the residents stated it was laced with chemicals.

EFF provincial treasurer and MP, Aishah Cassiem, said counter cases were made by the man and the women, along with those from the community.

It is understood that the women's case was closed due to a lack of evidence and police have yet to confirm this and why.

Saps responded to a media inquiry and said that case dockets of assault common and crimen injuria as well as an opposing crimen injuria case, were opened for further police investigation.
"A 57 year old man was arrested on charges of common assault and crimen injuria. However, the matter was withdrawn and the suspect subsequently released."

Cassiem said the EFF they would continue to seek justice.

"These are incidents that many black students experience in their residence across the country, especially in communities occupied by white racists, who continue such actions, as a result of not being held accountable.

“The EFF will never allow for such a case to be swept under the carpet and will make sure those responsible for ensuring the safety of these young girls do so, especially when they are running to the police or courts for protection. We will not step back until justice has been served."

Cassiem said that according to the students they left their home to purchase food at a nearby take away on Monday night. 

“They said there were two men involved (who are neighbours). The one stormed their student residence, invading the space of young girls who were in pajamas, and half naked as seen in the video,  while the other tortured them in the street, shouting 'I will erase your blackness' as seen in the video,” she added.

"It is understood that the students opened a case with Beaufort West Police Station immediately and were told two days later the case has been closed. One of the men involved has been arrested and appeared in court this morning.

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“He had also opened a case against angry residents who showed up at his house after the incident circulated on social media."

Beaufort West Mayor Sias Reynolds took to his Facebook account where he expressed concerns about the incident.

“This whole incident saddens me immensely. Then, showing how racial issues can be so easily misused by individuals to spike racial tension on social media, only worsens the situation.”

Cape Argus