The City of Cape Town on Tuesday announced it would assist in the investigation of an alleged race-related attack which took place during the HSBC Sevens World Series tournament at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
“My office will facilitate and ensure that the matter is reported, assessed, and investigated by the relevant and competent authorities for further action as deemed necessary,” said Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille.
“We will provide any support needed for dealing with this matter.”
An audience member at the tournament, Don Johnstone, said he was physically attacked after he confronted another spectator. According to Johnstone, who in a picture circulated on social media is seen with a blue eye, the spectator referred to the Blitzboks wing Seabelo Senatla as a “baboon” during the team’s match against Kenya.
On confronting the spectator, Johnstone was physically attacked.
De Lille said she commended Johnstone for standing up against racism and called on others to tackle the issue.
“The majority of South Africans are not racists but it is a minority which creates a dangerous perception and we simply cannot allow racists to speak for us,” she said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
