By JN Reporter
After two years of investigation into the restaurant in Sasolburg, showing pictures of black political leaders placed inside urinals in the men's toilet, the case has finally been set for a pre-trial hearing on Friday.
In 2022, a video clip taken by one of the ‘No Name Village’ restaurant employees, showing faces of President Cyril Ramaphosa, former President Jacob Zuma, former Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, went viral on social media platforms.
The matter was reported to the Human Rights Commission in the Free State province by the restaurant’s former employee Lehlogonolo Mathabatha, which prompted her dismissal from the company.
According to Mathabatha, the matter has been a thorn in her side for years.
Speaking to Journal News this week, she said that she is happy that the matter will finally be heard and concluded.
“All I want is justice for all… accountability and that no worker in our country should keep quiet about racism in order to keep their jobs,” said Mathabatha.
The former head waitress said a lot of racism and inhuman treatment were practiced by the restaurant towards employees during her time, which led to her acting against the employer.
“Placing leaders’ faces in men’s urinals was simply too much for me to bear and was a final blow. I felt that I needed to act on it,” she said.
Free State MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Ketso Makume, has come out in defense of Mathabatha, committing that he will be attending the court proceedings on Friday.
"As the province, we are in a mode to encourage the potential domestic and international visitors to continue visiting our restaurants, hotels, and guest houses when exploring our province as their preferred destination of choice. We don't have a space for racists. If there are any tourism establishments or owners performing any racist practices and exploiting workers, they are advised not to try it in this province because once exposed, we will ensure that they face the harsh consequences of the law,” said Makume.
The case is expected to attract members from both the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), and the African National Congress (ANC) to the hearing.
