Trigger warning: This article contains content about physical violence against a minor.
A video of a white adult male beating up a black minor in the parking lot of Groblersdal Game Centre has gone viral on social media. The teenager is shoved to the floor, kicked, sworn at, and held at gunpoint.
The victims’ alleged sister shared the clip online, which stated that her “little brother” was assaulted by “this old man at Groblersdal Game Centre today for simply asking him to pass the salt after using it at Fat Cake Shop”. The sister also said that her cousin was threatened to be shot.
TRIGGER WARNING: the following footage is not for sensitive viewers.
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After sharing the initial video, the family released a statement which said they had taken the matter to the police: “This heartbreaking matter which has [broken] our hearts not only as a family but as a black people of this country.”
Polokwane police arrested the 50-year-old man for beating up the 16-year-old boy yesterday. The teenager was taken to the hospital after the incident and was later discharged. The attacker faces charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and pointing of a firearm.
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“We will not tolerate incidents of gender-based violence and attacks on our children and we will ensure that justice prevails for the victim. In the meantime, we urge community members to remain calm and allow us space to deal with the matter, ” said Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe in a statement.
The suspect will appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court today, Friday.
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Picture: @rateigh_ / Instagram