These were the words of Free State Finance MEC Ketso Makume after attending the court proceedings related to a case of racism in Sasolburg on Friday (5/7).

The case centres around a disturbing video that surfaced on social media, showing two white men urinating on images of prominent South African political leaders – Julius Malema, Cyril Ramaphosa, Jacob Zuma, and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – which had been pasted in urinals inside a Sasolburg restaurant. The footage, reportedly from 2021, raised questions not only about racism but about the broader culture and conduct inside the establishment.

At the heart of the case is former restaurant employee Lehlohonolo Mathabatha, who first reported the video and other alleged acts of racial abuse to the South African Human Rights Commission in 2022. Her complaint was referred to the Equality Court, with the pre-trial set for 22 July 2025, and the trial dates scheduled for 28–30 October 2025.

Mathabatha told the media that her experience at the restaurant included inhuman working conditions such as being forced to work without food and enduring an environment of naked racism. She described the atmosphere as threatening and psychologically abusive, recalling an incident where the owner asked her if she wanted to dance and added that staff would no longer enjoy working there.

“I knew that was a threat,” Mathabatha said. “That’s when I started taking recordings and gathering any evidence I could, because I was told from the beginning that he fires people he sees as a threat.”

According to Mathabatha, multiple employees have lodged complaints with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), but no meaningful action has been taken against the restaurant owner thus far.

MEC Makume emphasised the provincial government’s zero-tolerance stance on racism.

“We have said as the department, any entity that has been authorised and given a license to operate in the Free State, must do it within the ambit of the law, being directed by the constitution of this country.”

He added that South Africa’s constitutional vision of a non-racial society cannot be achieved while such incidents of blatant racism continue to surface. He further commended Mathabatha for her courage in coming forward, despite the personal and professional costs.

“She has lost her job, she has lost a lot of things, but at least she has preserved what I call integrity and the image of a black person,” Makume said. “For now, we want to say a black man’s life matters too, and it is really important that we get protection not only from the courts but also from each other as human beings.”

Makume also announced that the Free State government will be exploring legal reforms, including the possibility of revoking licenses for businesses found guilty of racism or discrimination. Additionally, the department plans to introduce programmes and activities aimed at promoting non-racialism throughout the province.

OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi