Tensions were palpable at the Cape Town Marathon when runner Gerhard van Rensburg was accused of assaulting pro-Palestine protester Anthea Houston, triggering a police investigation into the alleged incident.
Pro-Palestine protester in hospital after alleged assault by Cape Town Marathon runner
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The incident occurred amidst a protest organised by the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) that was underway during the marathon. Houston, participating peacefully in the protest, found herself at the receiving end of an alleged assault when she held up a Palestinian banner as marathon runner Gerhard van Rensburg was passing by.
According to eyewitnesses, van Rensburg shoved Houston out of his way, causing her to fall and hit her head on the ground.
Houston’s daughter, referred to as Pandy in the statements, expressed her shock and dismay at the incident, which she described as a violent assault on her mother who was standing in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The assault led to Houston being hospitalised to receive medical treatment for a head injury.
As per Pandy, her mother is under 24-hour observation while they await the results of a CT scan to ascertain the extent of the injury.
The alleged assailant, Gerhard van Rensburg, was identified by his race number #9918, representing the Pretoria Marathon Club.
The South African Police Service has taken up the case and is in the process of investigating the matter.
“We will ensure that justice is served,” EFF MP Nazier Paulsen noted.
Efforts to reach Gerhard van Rensburg for comment were unsuccessful.
South Africa calls for an end to Israel-Hamas war
This incident comes amid a backdrop of escalating tensions and heated debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, both globally and within South Africa.
Recent attacks in southern Israel and subsequent retaliatory actions have led to a surge in discussions about the conflict, with different nations and their citizens taking varying stands on the issue.
In South Africa, authorities have expressed their concerns over the situation, attributing the escalation to Israel’s actions and calling for an end to the occupation.
“South Africa calls on Israel to immediately heed the calls of the UN Secretary General, the plethora of humanitarian organisation operating in Gaza, and a number of governments around the world to immediately provide water, food, fuel, and electricity to the people of Gaza. South Africa also calls for the release of the Israeli hostages taken into Gaza,” DIRCO noted in a statement.