THE newly launched Social Movement Against Racist Tendencies has reacted angrily to a Sowetan story this week that a diligent ANC member was assaulted and called a "kaffir" by two white policemen.

THE newly launched Social Movement Against Racist Tendencies has reacted angrily to a Sowetan story this week that a diligent ANC member was assaulted and called a "kaffir" by two white policemen.

Sowetan reported on Monday that the officers followed businessman Sipho Chiliza from Corlett Drive to his home on Friday night.

Chiliza has opened assault and crimen injuria charges against the officers who attacked him for driving a C55 Mercedes-Benz AMG.

Smart founder Panyaza Lesufi said: "The story confirms our view as Smart that racists are having a free reign in our country. They can do whatever they wish, assault black people at will, unleash dogs on them, chase them out of their places when they are conducting ritual events."

Lesufi said Smart had briefed its legal team to lodge a complaint with "the toothless" South African Human Rights Commission and ask for "an urgent audience" with the Ministry of Police.

"How do you explain a situation as captured in Sowetan when a person is assaulted because he is driving a beautiful car and he is insulted with the K* word and jailed for nothing? We can't allow racists to hold us to ransom in our own country," said Lesufi, who is also a government spokesperson.

Chiliza, a former ANC election coordinator at Luthuli House in Johannesburg, had told Sowetan: "When I pulled up in my driveway two white officers jumped out with big guns. They said 'who do you think you are driving like that?'

"Driving a nice car 'does not mean you can do as you please. You are just a kaffir'. They then assaulted me before throwing me in the back of their van."

Chiliza was detained at the Norwood police station and charged with negligent and reckless driving. Police Inspector Moses Maphakela said Chiliza's complaint has been sent to the senior public prosecutor for a decision.