Kathrada Foundation “Disgusted at Racial Attack at KFC”
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation is deeply disgusted at the reported attack on an African couple by six white males, it said in a statement posted on Facebook. A video went viral on social media this week of a group of six males attacking a man identified as Jacob Sono and his wife at a KFC […]
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation is deeply disgusted at the reported attack on an African couple by six white males, it said in a statement posted on Facebook.
A video went viral on social media this week of a group of six males attacking a man identified as Jacob Sono and his wife at a KFC drive-through based in Montano, Pretoria. The incident occurred after the couple allegedly asked the men to move forward in the drive-through.
The woman is heard repeatedly screaming in the disturbing video as the men attack them.
Police Minister Fikile Mbalula tweeted late yesterday afternoon: “The Kfc assaulters are linked to a number of assaults in the area. THEY ASSULT BLACK PEOPLE AROUND THE AREA. WE HAVE arrested them…”
Four of the six men have been arrested and charged with assault and the pointing of a firearm. Two of the men are still at large.
Kathrada Foundation’s Director Neeshan Balton said that he was ‘disgusted’ at the attack. “The racial dynamics in this incident are glaring. It is deeply troubling that people have not learnt the lessons from the Spur incident. In this case, the six white men appear to have taken objection to being asked to move forward in the drive-through lane.
“There can be no justification for their vile racism and aggression. What is further distressing, is that this group had no qualms about beating up a woman – something reflective of the patriarchal values that are still entrenched in society.”
As many have pointed out, this has happened in Women’s Month in South Africa.
“We are calling on law enforcement agencies to ensure that further arrests are made and that the attackers are brought to justice speedily,” Balton said.
He added that the past few weeks have seen a litany of racial incidents in different settings.
“Schools and communities, workplaces and social media, as well as public platforms are increasingly places of racial contestation and tension. This must be seen within the context of an increasingly unstable socio-political and economic situation, which should be a cause for concern.
“It is an indication that we must step up our efforts in campaigning against racism, as well as finalising the implementation of the country’s National Action Plan to combat racial discrimination. This must be accompanied with a set of tools and measures to deal with instances of this nature.
“Each incident of this nature drags us further away from a country envisaged in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution of South Africa. It should also highlight the magnitude of work that needs to be done by all who cherish the ideal of a non-racial country. At its core must be a concerted anti-racism programme that tackles racism at all levels,” Balton said.
KFC South Africa said: “We stand against acts of violence & find the behaviour in this footage inexcusable.”
Watch Racist Attack at KFC Montana, Pretoria, South Africa
Please Note: This is distressing to watch/listen.
https://twitter.com/MbalulaFikile/status/893853487469137921
Thank you to @MbalulaFikile & his SAPS team for their speed & swift action.
We also thank all of you for reaching out to us! https://t.co/6g44fkC22f— KFC South Africa (@KFCSA) August 6, 2017