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Skielik: Racism a key SA issue
26/01/2008 12:59 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Racism was still a key issue in South Africa, political party representatives said as they addressed a gathering at Saturday's funeral of the murdered Skielik victims.
Congress of SA Trade Unions secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi said alleged killer, Johan Nel, 18, was a "young brainwashed racist" with "no regard for human life".
Enoch Tshepo Motshelanoka, 10, Keditlhotse Elizabeth Moiphitlhi, 3-months, and her 31-year-old mother, Anna, were alleged gunned down by Nel last almost two weeks ago.
The body of a fourth victim, Sivuyile Danani, 35, was returned to his home in the Eastern Cape earlier in the week for a separate funeral.
"We have learnt with shock that this young animal has a long history of mentality [sic] that suggested that he has no regard for black people's lives," said Vavi.
"We are told that he was only 15 when he started to demonstrate instincts that suggest that he equates black people's lives with those of baboons and birds."
Mourners at the funeral clapped and applauded Vavi's words.
Vavi said racist people needed to be taught a lesson.
Black people were no longer subhuman people, he said.
'A long way to go'
"The killing of our people here in Skielik, Swartruggens, demonstrates another reality - that we still have a long way to go to build a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa."
He said poverty ravaged communities like Skielik so badly that "our people [are] not even in a position to smell the promise of a better life for all!"
African National Congress member of parliament Patrick Chauke said: "We are gathered here today because we still have to deal with racism."
Earlier he led the congregation in a hymn.
Chauke said that they had invited other political parties to the proceedings.
"We did inform them of the services and it's clear to me that the call was not heard."
Another speaker at the funeral said Nel was a "serpent".
'Zuma, our president'
"A serpent like this, a murderer like this, what do we do with a person like this?" the speaker asked.
Chauke then brought mourners to their feet by singing Umshini-wam and calling Jacob Zuma "our president".
National Union of Mineworker's president Senzeni Zokwana said workers in the region faced hassles at work, were oppressed and were paid "peanuts".
"You are the unwanted; that's why farmers' children grow up to believe you are different.
"Another Nel must not find it easy to target our people," said Zokwana.
Family members of the victims were seated in front of the stage, weeping and listening to procedures.
In front of the family were three white marble-coloured coffins laden with wreaths of flowers.
The smallest coffin held baby Keditlhotse.
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