Durban - Former estate agent Penny Sparrow's crimen injuria
case for labelling black people ''monkeys'' in a rant about beach litter will
continue in the Umzinto Magistrate's Court on Monday.
The criminal case comes after she was found guilty of hate
speech in the Equality Court and ordered to pay R150 000 to the Adelaide and
Oliver Tambo Foundation.
According to the SA Police Service glossary, crimen injuria
consists of ''unlawfully and intentionally impairing the dignity or privacy of
another person''.
In Sparrow's last appearance on August 15, the court heard
that the case would be postponed so that her new attorney, from Legal Aid,
could consult with her, and that the State could give the defence the contents
of its docket against Sparrow.
In January Sparrow posted on Facebook: "These monkeys
that are allowed to be released on New Year’s eve and New Year’s day on to
public beaches towns etc obviously have no education what so ever so to allow
them loose is inviting huge dirt and troubles and discomfort to others.
"I’m sorry to say that I was amongst the revellers and
all I saw were black on black skins what a shame. I do know some wonderful and
thoughtful black people. This lot of monkeys just don’t want to even try. But
think they can voice opinions about statute and get their way oh dear.
"From now I shall address the blacks of South Africa as
monkeys as I see the cute little wild monkeys do the same, pick drop and
litter."
In an exclusive interview with News24, Sparrow said she
meant no malice, but understood why people were upset about the post.
The Sparrow case was the first of a year of outbursts which
have landed several people in hot water.
Last week, another estate agent Vicky Momberg, appeared in
the Randburg Magistrate's Court on eight charges of crimen injuria after
alleging hurling racial insults at a black police officer after a smash and
grab in Johannesburg.
