The racially motivated killing of an Mpumalanga farm worker by his boss last week was "inhumane and barbaric", defying all logic, the South African Council of Churches General Secretary, Revd Dr Molefe Tsele, said in a statement today (Tuesday).

"This alleged senseless killing of a farm worker by a farmer once more reveals the level of racial hatred and injustice of immeasurable proportion. Coming at a time when we in the Council are promoting the process of healing and reconciliation after decades of apartheid and racism in this country, we do not believe this actions serves as a good publicity for our efforts of reconciliation," Tsele said in a statement.

Farmer labourer Jotham Mandlaki was allegedly held by the scruff of his neck while a Komatipoort farmer drove off. After a short distance the farm worker fell under the vehicle which killed him. Other farm hands claimed that the farmer assaulted Mandlaki because his boss claimed he failed to report for duty.

"It is unfortunate that acts of racism still dominate our national life, and what is even worse is that they are still prevalent in white-owned farms, undermining all the work that the Church is doing to exorcise the demon of racism.

"These acts of barbarism do not contribute to nation building, and the creation of a rainbow nation we often glibly talk about. On the contrary, they harden attitudes, and it is our view that they are counterproductive and often result in all sorts of backlash. We have to condemn them, and hope that the perpetrators are brought to book to account for their dastardly actions. We must also caution against any form of retribution by our people," Tsele said in a statement.

"What is also disturbing," said Tsele, "was that the fact that there seemed to be police collusion in trying to weaken evidence, as was demonstrated by the fact that the alleged killer solicited the assistance of a policeman to cover-up for his actions.

"Corrupt practices by police are a blot that undermines our efforts at delivering essential services to our people, and our hope is that the police who are creating blockages in the system should be apprehended," said Tsele.

The South African Council of Churches is concerned about the circumstances surrounding the brutal racist killing of a Komaartipoort farm worker, Jotham Mandlaki.

The SACC General Secretary, Rev Dr Molefe Tsele said at a Media Briefing in Barberton that the killing of Mandlaki, and the police investigation, lend themselves to a suspicion that there could be some collusion between the police and those responsible for the death of Mandlaki. "As the SACC we would keep a vigilant eye, and ensure that the cause of justice is neither compromised nor undermined by corruption.

"We are concerned that the whole investigation may becoming smelly, with serious allegations that the alleged killer may be working with the police to weaken the state case.

"For our part as the SACC we would urge that impartial court officials preside over this criminal matter that has resulted in the killing of an innocent farm worker," Tsele said in a statement.

"We are glad that the Mpumalanga Council of Churches together with the Municipal Council are working hard to ensure that justice prevails in this whole unfortunate saga".

For further information, contact Fr Joe Mdhlela at 083 641 1281 or Dr Molefe Tsele at 082 458 2037.