The leader of the ANC in the Nkangala region has told scores of supporters that it was not true that all white people are racist in South Africa.
ANC regional chairman Speedy Mashilo was speaking outside the Middelburg Magistrates Court during the bail application of the two white men who allegedly beat up a young black man before putting him inside a coffin.
The incident was captured on a video clip that circulated on social media the whole of past week, resulting in the arrest of Theo Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen.
“What these two criminals did does not mean all whites are racists. It is only these and a few others who are still not progressive,” Mashilo said.
He said the ANC was the only party that was able to unite the people of South Africa, not any other political party.
“For over 104 years the ANC has fought to unite our people. In 1956 the ANC had a vision that all people shall live together, black and white.
He said the ANC had chosen a non-racial democracy in order to ensure that all people of all colours are equal.
“We don’t care who you are, black or white, if you undermine the law of the country you shall be dealt with,” Mashilo said.
The case of the two men was postponed to 25 January 2017 after they abandoned their bail application.
“We want you to come here on the 25th of January 2017 to show support to comrade V; he is a member the of ANCYL and we must not allow EFF to use this comrade for their own narrow agenda,” Mashilo said.
Mashilo added: “Wherever you are, I want you to teach our people that racism has got no space in South Africa, no space here in Mpumalanga, even here in Nkangala region. We must have a clear programme that will deal with all farmers who still practice racism”.
(edited by ZK)
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