|
'A curse to be black man'
06/12/2006 22:16 - (SA)
Walter ka Nkosi
Nelspruit - A witness wept in court, saying it was a curse to be a black man in South Africa.
A tearful Sibusiso Nkosi was testifying against a man accused of hurling racial insults at a metered-taxi driver and his two passengers before smashing the windscreen.
Nkosi was one of the passengers.
"It is a curse to be black in this country. You need to be white to have safety and security," he said in Nelspruit magistrate's court on Tuesday.
He was testifying against Tiaan Oelofse, 28, of Nelspruit.
He said Oelofse was so drunk that he could hardly stand or speak clearly.
He said Oelofse said to them: "Kaffirs, wat doen julle hier by die dorp want julle is nie wit nie?" (Kaffirs, what are you doing here in town because you are not white).
'Saw stars' after punches
Oelofse is accused of getting out of a bakkie at a stop street and attacking the taxi about midnight on August 8.
Nkosi said he tried to close his window when Oelofse approached, but that Oelofse dragged him out and punched him twice so that he "saw stars".
He said he woke up and ran into the veld across the road and then turned to watch the continuing attack.
He said he could never forgive what happened.
The taxi driver, Andries Mkhabela, testified that his cousin had accompanied him to pick up a client at a nightclub.
When he stopped at an intersection, a white bakkie with two occupants drew alongside.
He said one of them was Oelofse who made a rude hand signal at them.
"At first, we didn't mind, because it was the weekend and we know people get excited," said the driver.
He said the bakkie pulled off with them, and that Oelofse continued to shout insults, so he stopped the taxi.
Before he could get out, he and his cousin were dragged out of the taxi and a fight began.
The other passenger called the police who arrived quickly, but the men in the bakkie had already driven off.
The police tracked down the bakkie's registration number and the occupants were later arrested.
Pleaded not guilty
Oelofse's friend was acquitted because it was found that he hadn't taken part in the assault and damaging of the taxi.
Oelofse pleaded not guilty to a charge of malicious damage to property.
He blames Nkosi for starting the argument by throwing a wine bottle and stones at him.
He also denies breaking the windscreen and hurling racial insults.
Oelofse is out on warning and is due to appear again on January 25.
- African Eye
|
News
