Johannesburg - The police are analysing footage from an alleged anti-Semitic attack on Saturday at The Zone in Rosebank.
The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) alerted the media to the attack earlier this week, reporting that three Jewish boys, aged 17 and 18, were assaulted in the mall by three Indian adults.
The teenagers were leaving a cinema at about 10.30pm when they were accosted. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras.
According to SAJBD national director Wendy Kahn, the video shows the attack was unprovoked.
“The teenagers were clearly identified as Jewish, wearing kippot– traditional head coverings. While one was being hit, another assailant swore at him saying: ‘You f***ing Jew’ and ‘your f***ing people are killing our innocent children’,” Kahn wrote in a statement.
Charges of common assault were laid on Saturday night, but according to Rosebank police spokesman Sergeant Bongani Mdletshe, these could be altered to a more serious charge.
Mdletshe said that once the video had been handed over to a state prosecutor, it would be decided whether the kicking and beating could constitute charges of assault with intention to cause grievous bodily harm.
He was unable to say if the religious slurs could also lead to charges of crimen injuria.
The surveillance footage is still being analysed to see whether the police can identify the thugs or whether they will need the public’s help to do so.
The SAJBD has condemned the attack, calling all South Africans to attend a film screening on Thursday, wearing a kippa or hat.
“In this way, we will demonstrate our commitment to fight against any form of prejudice and intimidation. As proud South African citizens, our freedom of movement, religion and association are guaranteed by our constitution,” said Kahn.
“The SA Jewish community hopes this incident was an isolated one. Unlike many other parts of the world, Jews in South Africa have always been able to freely identify as such in public spaces without fear of being victimised. We are determined to do everything we can to ensure this continues,” she added.
The Star