In addition to the stress of representing your country in a foreign country with the hopes of millions of fans resting on your shoulders to bring back the coveted Williams Webb trophy, Eben Etzebeth also had to deal with so much more. While being away in Japan, it seemed in the local media as if the SAHRC had no reservations with gambling with the rugby hero’s career. Instead of giving every member of our national team the support which they deserve, threats are being made against him to have him send back from Japan to defend himself once again for the same allegations which he has denied already. During a time which is known to increase national unity, the SAHRC is giving this glorious moment a bitter taste.
The Incident
According to the complainants who have now earned themselves the name of the Langebaan four, they were walking home after a night out when they passed a local hangout in Langebaan the moment when Etzebeth and his friends were departing. They stated that Etzebeth and his friends made some racial comments before getting into their cars. The group then threw a brick at Etzebeth’s white Mustang. After which the group stopped and got out of their vehicles again. They then claim that they saw Etzebeth had a firearm and fled the scene. After they have fled, according to them, the Etzebeth party assaulted another man as well as a third party who came to intervene.
Their Demands
The group demands an apology from Etzebeth as well as that he must undergo anger management training and also racial sensitivity training and low and behold, R1 million. Etzebeth has numerously stated that this is not what happened that evening and that many eyewitnesses can testify towards his version of the events. He also had a meeting with the SAHRC before leaving for Japan, and he was assured by them during the meeting that there will be cooperation from both parties involved to resolve the matter. Since his departure, however, none of these commitments realized and he was much rather made into the villain by the SAHRC in the media without a court case.
Etzebeth Breaking the Silence
This week the rugby superstar has broken the silence and filed papers at the High Court in Pretoria to stop the SAHRC to proceed with the case. He stated that he believes that the SAHRC is behaving completely unprofessional and are acting in a way trying to hide an agenda. He furthermore said that they are folding under political pressure and that they aren’t brave enough to come to a fair conclusion because they might fear that would be unpopular. Yet a large community of all races in South Africa has thrown their weight behind the Bok and is backing him in the process. According to the chairperson of the SAHRC, Bongani Majola, they are still processing the court papers and will comment later on.
