We just want justice, say students in 'racially-charged' incident

BEAUFORT West police have come under severe criticism over their handling of a racially charged incident involving a man they arrested and subsequently released after he was filmed spraying two young women with a pesticide sprayer filled with what he claimed was “holy water.”

In a video widely shared on social media, the man can be heard shouting, “I’ll change you. I will remove your blackness” as he sprays the women with what they believe was in fact bleach.

Another clip shows him inside their home, where some women are partially undressed, hiding as he walks through spraying the walls with what he calls “holy water.”

Southern Cape police spokesperson, Christopher Spies  said  case dockets of assault common and crimen injuria as well as an opposing crimen injuria case, were opened for further police investigation. 

“These cases relate to incidents at De Villiers Street, Beaufort West on the evening of 25 May 2025. A 57-year-old man was arrested on charges of common assault and crimen injuria. However, the matter was withdrawn and the suspect subsequently released. Both cases form part of ongoing police investigations."

The EFF in the Western Cape has been assisting the students since the incident, and  said they were “appalled” by the handling of the case. 

“The EFF registers its disappointment with SAPS with regards to the lack of intervention to ensure the young students are protected in their residence and who rather chose to discontinue the matter with no apparent consultation and communication with the victims. The acts of the racist perpetrator must never be left unchallenged and as such the EFF Western Cape will be making a further follow-up on the matter and ensure the racist are held accountable, punished and taught a lesson to send a strong message to all racists both in open and those in (private),” said EFF MPL Aisha Cassiem.

One of the students said on Thursday they were still severely traumatised and afraid to go outside. 

“I’m just trying to be fine. I just want to focus on my exams because I'm writing my final exams. We are always behind closed doors. We don't want to go out. If we go out we call our friends to pick us up with their car. If we go to school we always pass his house, but we changed the route now because we are scared. We haven't seen the guy again. We just want justice to be served.” 

She said they had been contacted by police for their statements to be taken again. 

“They said they are going to come to the house to take another statement. Why? We already gave a statement and we already have a case number.”

Cape Times