Westdene bus crash wounds reopened
2013-02-06 11:30
Johannesburg - A Facebook user has called for a celebration
of the drowning of 42 white children 28 years ago, The Times newspaper reported
on Wednesday.
Zama Khumalo, 24, told his 493 friends on the social website
he would send out an invitation to a "Big Black Braai" to celebrate
the deaths of 42 children when their school bus plunged into Westdene dam,
Johannesburg, on 27 March 1985.
The braai would be on the anniversary of the disaster and
there would be DJs and fireworks, the newspaper reported.
According to the newspaper, Katherine Shaddock was shocked
to learn that the death of her half-sister, Mary-Ann Miles, would be
celebrated.
'Full of hatred for another race'
Khumalo posted the names of the 24 of the 42 victims with
the comment that their deaths were "much appreciated, my Lord!"
He claimed to be a journalist for the Daily Sun newspaper.
The paper's management distanced itself from Khumalo and said he was no longer
employed there.
SA Human Rights Commission spokesperson Isaac Mangena told
The Times the commission had not received a formal complaint, and that the post
was "on the face of it, full of hatred for another race".
Khumalo changed his tune on Saturday and apologised.
"I have taken time to consider and reflect on the
Westdene post that I made earlier this week... the matter has been such huge
pressure... I received inbox threats," he wrote on his page.
"I heartily apologise and deeply regret the post."
- SAPA
