Publications
Partners
CCTV footage has emerged of the moment angry protesters vanadalised and broke into the Coligny Hotel last week, and once inside, went on a looting spree. Watch.
The alleged murder of a black minor for stealing sunflowers by two white farmers, sparked racial tension and a wave of violent protests in the North-West town last week. Stores (and a hotel) were looted, while houses and vehicles were set alight.
- Read more: If Coligny farmers get bail there will be violence - cop
"At around 10h00 on the 24th May, we received a Whatsapp voicenote that trouble was coming," Coligny Hotel manager Michelle van Wyk told News24.
"So we locked the front entrance and locked ourselves in a room. There were no guests at the time, just myself and six staff members.
"When we heard banging on the front door, we called for help. PRSS security guards eventually helped us out through a back entrance."
The footage shows how a group of protesters, including school children, force their way into the hotel after throwing bricks at the glass doors, and attempting to set tyres alight.
Regarding damage inside the hotel, Van Wyk said all windows were thrown out, including bedroom and restaurant windows.
"They [protesters] also stole liquor from the restaurant, as well as the sound system," she added.
Much of the damage has since been repaired however, and the Coligny Hotel reopened for business on Tuesday this week.
SEE ALSO: 'Some of my pets died, I have nothing left' - Coligny resident
