According to the victim of an assault which took place on the premises of a food lovers market at Lenasia’s Trade Route Mall says he was beaten up because of a cap on the afternoon of Sunday, February 25.
This after the Rising Sun posted a video of a worker being beaten up in a fruit and vegetable store in Lenasia this morning.
The victim, Banele Mdingazwe, says he had been instructed to wear a Food Lovers branded cap by one of his senior co-workers while busy cutting a watermelon. When he replied that he would wear the cap as instructed after washing his hands, an argument ensued and resulted in him being pushed around by the co-worker.
“Another co-worker then approached us and punched me in the face while I had a knife in my hand. He then attempted to grab the knife out of my hand, but before I knew it, the supervisor was strangling me,” Banele said.
According to Banele, he does not remember what transpired thereafter as he became drowsy and lost consciousness.
“When I saw the video, I was shocked to see I had been on the floor,” he said.
He was then taken by security personnel to a ‘dirty room’ where he was locked up for about three hours.
Three people were arrested on Tuesday, February 27, and released on bail .
After hearing about the incident, the Region G EFF branch heeded the call to support the victim. The EFF marched to the store as well as to the Lenasia Police Station demanding that justice take its course.
“We believe the attack was racially motivated as this is not the first time such an incident happens at the store. Someone needs to stand up for the voiceless, and in this matter it is the workers,” Thabang Mollo, said.
According to staff member, Sizwe Majila, he was threatened to delete the video, which has now gone viral on social media.
The Rising Sun is in possession of messages exchanged by the manager and Majila which threaten him with court action if the footage is revealed to the police.
While the victim alleges the suspects wanted to buy his silence.
“They offered me R6000 not to open a case against them. But I did not accept it as I felt it was a slap in my face,” Ndingazwe said.
Food Lovers market confirmed the incident.
“From our investigation into this incident it has come to light that the team member who is being restrained and held to the ground had, prior to the filming of this incident, attempted to stab his colleague with a knife,” the statement read.
The statement went on to say, “The supervisor, who can be seen in the footage sitting astride the team member, intervened to disarm the team member and prevent him from stabbing his colleague.”
Lenasia SAPS spokesperson, Captain Hector Netshivhodza also confirmed the incident.
“Three suspects were arrested. We are investigating a case of Assault with the intention to cause Grievous Bodily Harm” he said.
Watch video below. WARNING: DISTRESSING VIDEO
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