The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has welcomed an investigation into an alleged racist incident at the Maselspoort Resort and Conference Centre outside Bloemfontein in the Free State Province on Christmas Day (December 25).
Law enforcement agencies are investigating a case of common assault after a video – showing white men attacking two black teenagers at the resort’s swimming pool – has gone viral.
Allegedly the men were trying to remove the teens from what they termed the “whites only” pool.
In the video, a man is seen slapping a 13-year-old boy and tossing him into the pool. The man is then seen choking an older boy.
The situation then seemingly escalates when another man pulls the younger teen's hair.
A scuffle ensues with one man pushing another of the boys into the pool and seemingly trying to keep the boy’s head under water.
The video ends with a man dragging the older teen by the head into the pool.
‘Tourism is an inclusive industry’
While strongly condemning the “appalling” incident, CEO of the TBCSA, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, said: “The tourism sector is an inclusive industry and there should be no room for prejudice or discrimination based on creed, race or discrimination. Racism has no room in tourism, we will not tolerate nor accommodate any racist behaviour in our industry.”
He added: “As South Africans we know how ugly racism is and we cannot be dragged back.”
The TBCSA has called for harsh punishment once the facts have been established. Tshivhengwa issued assurances to local and international tourists that South Africa was open to all.
Free State Premier, Sisi Ntombela, said in a statement: “I have instructed the Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs MEC, Makalo Mohale to deal with the matter with the urgency it deserves and engage law enforcement agencies. Racism and such barbaric actions have no place in our province.”
Tourism Update was unable to reach anyone at the resort for comment. However, SABC News cited the resort’s Nick Mitchell as saying Maselspoort did not condone racism and that it did not allow any segregation or racism on site.
