DALI Mpofu feels hurt he was at tacked at his favourite childhood spot in East London.
Mpofu, 51, was rushed to Life St Dominic’s Hospital after being stabbed near Eastern Beach last Thursday. He was dis charged on Sunday.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mpofu said at the time of the attack he felt angry people could attack someone for no apparent reason.
“At that point I knew I had to fight my way out of the situation; they basically surrounded me. I was either going to die there or fight. So I fought my way out,” he said.
The former SABC boss said he was in the area because he was taking a break from the commission looking into the Marikana shooting.
Mpofu said because East London was his hometown, he had never expected to be attacked there.
“ Eastern Beach was a ‘whites only area’ so that part of the beachfront was the only place we were allowed to go. It was one of my favourite spots when I was about 13.
“I am very familiar with the area. Whenever I am back in East London I take a walk there,” he said.
Despite the attack and the week end in hospital, Mpofu said the incident would not deter him from visiting East London in the future.
“I am not a tourist in East London; it is my home. I have lived in Johannesburg for more than 30 years and I have never been attacked. It is just very sad I had to be attacked in East London. However, do believe that it could have happened in Cape Town or anywhere else,” he added.
Mpofu is representing mine workers at the Farlam Commission, which is probing the death of 34 miners at Lonmin’s Marikana mine.
Mpofu also urged Buffalo City Metro to work on developing the beachfront.
“I think a place like that needs to be developed. The Quigney could be one of the biggest assets for East London if a proper development plan was in place.
“It is too easy for thugs to attack people even in broad daylight. So safety and security must be a serious feature. Places like Durban have in vested in their beachfronts, so the same could be done in East London,” Mpofu added.” —
Mpofu sad over attack at childhood haunt
Mpofu, 51, was rushed to Life St Dominic’s Hospital after being stabbed near Eastern Beach last Thursday. He was dis charged on Sunday.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, Mpofu said at the time of the attack he felt angry people could attack someone for no apparent reason.
“At that point I knew I had to fight my way out of the situation; they basically surrounded me. I was either going to die there or fight. So I fought my way out,” he said.
The former SABC boss said he was in the area because he was taking a break from the commission looking into the Marikana shooting.
Mpofu said because East London was his hometown, he had never expected to be attacked there.
“ Eastern Beach was a ‘whites only area’ so that part of the beachfront was the only place we were allowed to go. It was one of my favourite spots when I was about 13.
“I am very familiar with the area. Whenever I am back in East London I take a walk there,” he said.
Despite the attack and the week end in hospital, Mpofu said the incident would not deter him from visiting East London in the future.
“I am not a tourist in East London; it is my home. I have lived in Johannesburg for more than 30 years and I have never been attacked. It is just very sad I had to be attacked in East London. However, do believe that it could have happened in Cape Town or anywhere else,” he added.
Mpofu is representing mine workers at the Farlam Commission, which is probing the death of 34 miners at Lonmin’s Marikana mine.
Mpofu also urged Buffalo City Metro to work on developing the beachfront.
“I think a place like that needs to be developed. The Quigney could be one of the biggest assets for East London if a proper development plan was in place.
“It is too easy for thugs to attack people even in broad daylight. So safety and security must be a serious feature. Places like Durban have in vested in their beachfronts, so the same could be done in East London,” Mpofu added.” —
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