Update: Former employer distances itself from Penny Sparrow
Criminal charges have been laid.
JAWITZ Properties Scottburgh has come under fire as a result of former employee Penny Sparrow’s racist comments on Facebook.
In a social media post last Saturday, Sparrow referred to black beach-goers as ‘monkeys’.
Principal of Jawitz Properties, Avanti Low has stated that during Penny’s employment (May to November 2, 2015) no such behaviour had occurred.
“I do not allow comments regarding race, politics or sexual preferences. I do not see how we should be blamed for this behaviour as she has not been in our employ since November,” she added.
Sparrow, who has since apologised for the racist Facebook post, could not be reached for comment as unsurprisingly, her phone had been switched off and her Facebook account deactivated.
A new account has been opened under her name, listing her as an active Jawitz Properties agent, although this seems to be a fake account as racist remarks keep being posted. This account has been reported to Facebook.
CEO of Jawitz Properties, Herschel Jawitz says they are ‘taking serious action’ against the former employee for the racist comment.
He added that Sparrow’s comments had damaged the company’s reputation and she must be called to account for her actions.
“We will take whatever action we deem necessary, including criminal, civil or any other action to get it removed and to get her shut down. We view this very seriously, it’s a very serious matter,” he said.
Since being made aware of the incident on Sunday evening, Ms Low says she received various threats directed at both herself and her family.
Twitter has exploded, with posts condemning Sparrow’s actions flooding in.
In a statement released earlier today, the Democratic Alliance categorically condemned ‘the racist words of Penny Sparrow, which have no place in South African society’.
Party leader Mmusi Maimane tweeted that Sparrow’s comments are ‘insulting and must be criminally pursued’.
To this end, today the Democratic Alliance has laid criminal charges against Sparrow, for investigation of crimen injuria for infringing the dignity of all South Africans and for dehumanising black South Africans.
#PennySparrow comments are racist. They are an insult to me and to our party. We have too many of these in SA & we must criminalize these.
— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) January 4, 2016
DA member Herman Mashaba laid the criminal charges against Sparrow with the SAPS, and a case has been opened.
“Attitudes of such vitriolic racism have absolutely no place in South Africa. Today the DA in KZN has therefore also served notice of intention to suspended the membership of Penny Sparrow and has referred her conduct to the Federal Legal Commission for investigation. Racists are not welcome in the DA, and have no place in our democratic South African society,” the statement concluded.
