I’m scared for my life” South Africa ‘racist’ coffin victim says.
A black South African man who was allegedly forced into a coffin by two white farmers for trespassing says he was scared for his life.
Victor Mlotshwa was speaking outside court in the north-eastern town of Middelburg where his alleged attackers appeared before a magistrate.
“I thought they were going to kill me,” he said.
A 20-second video of the incident has been circulating on social media, causing outrage. The hashtag #RacismMustFall has gone viral across social media platforms in South Africa.
Theo Martins Jackson and Willem Oosthuizen, stood with their heads bowed citizens and media took photographs of them. They have been charged with kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. They did not enter any plea.
They have been remanded in custody until 25 January to allow prosecutors investigate, including authenticating the video circulating across the internet.
Mr Mlotshwa said he was walking home through the men’s farm near Middelburg, north-east of Johannesburg, when he was kidnapped and accused of trespassing. “There’s a pathway through the farm to the township where I live and many of us walk through there. I tried to explain to them why I was there and they just kept beating me,” he said.
“I have nightmares about that day. It traumatised me.” Mr Mlotshwa did not report the matter until the video was circulated on social media.