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Anthea Houston during the march on Sunday.
- Communicare's CEO Anthea Houston was allegedly assaulted by a runner in the Sanlam Marathon in Cape Town on Sunday.
- Houston's family said she was admitted to hospital after she was hit and pushed to the ground.
- Western Cape police confirmed that an assault case was under investigation.
A Cape Town family has expressed great disappointment and anger after their relative was allegedly hit and pushed to the ground by a runner participating in the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon.
In a social media post that went viral over the weekend, scores of people posted a picture of the alleged perpetrator's face along with claims that he had attacked the CEO of non-profit organisation Communicare, Anthea Houston.
Her sister, Lorna Houston, told News24 that the family supported a pro-Palestinian march in Salt River on Sunday when an unknown man taking part in the marathon attacked Anthea.
Lorna said the man was "so forceful with his attack" that Anthea fell on the road, hitting her head.
"He was very purposeful because if you run and then accidentally knock someone, that is one thing, but he hit her with both his arms on the chest, and she fell, hitting her head on the ground," Lorna said.
She added:
One of the runners at the Salt River circle, where so many of the runners were also supportive, was shouting: 'Free Palestine' and some of them had T-shirts that read 'Free Palestine' and had flags ... [it] was such a joyful morning ... to see that support. Only for that joy to be taken away by someone who did not agree with us joining the march.
She said her sister was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she is still being kept as doctors monitor her condition.
"We are so angry. This should never have happened. There were so many police officers patrolling we rushed to them, telling them what had happened.
"But their response to us was just disgusting. No sympathy at all. They didn't even arrest the man, even after protesters pointed out the perpetrator," said Lorna.
The family have since opened a case at the Woodstock police station and hope that justice prevails.
READ | Pro-Palestine demonstrators in Cape Town urge govt to cut ties with Israel
"He must face the full might of the law. What he did to my sister was inhumane and shameful. He should never be allowed to run the Sanlam marathon again. Justice must be served so that a strong message can be sent to people who act this cruelly.
"He should not be allowed to run a marathon in Cape Town again. He brought about shame to the event," Lorna said.
Barry van Blerk, general manager of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon, told News24 that they were aware of the incident, and that it was reported to the SA Police Service.
"We have no further comment until the investigation has been concluded," Van Blerk said.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed that an assault case was under investigation.
"The circumstances surrounding [this incident] are under investigation. No arrests have been made. The investigation continues," Twigg said.
Chairperson of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) Shaniaé Maharaj said the organisation was outraged that Houston was assaulted at a "lawful and peaceful demonstration".
"Anthea Houston has a distinguished track record for her stand on social justice issues in South Africa. At an international level, Anthea Houston stands in solidarity with the Palestinians in their just struggle in dismantling Israeli apartheid, settler colonialism, and the racist scourge of Zionism as Palestinians strive for self-determination," Maharaj said.
She said the organisation was concerned about Houston's well-being and was helping the family get justice.
"The PSC is working with her family to report the issue of SAPS' incompetence and refusal to meaningfully intervene at the incident scene. We are assisting the family in gaining the evidence regarding the injuries sustained by Anthea Houston," she added.
