UPDATE:
Penny sparrow has been ordered to pay R150,000 within 60 days to the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo foundation.
ORIGINAL STORY:
EMBATTLED ‘arch racist’ Penny Sparrow did not appear in the Equality Court in Scottburgh on Friday, January 10, despite ANC Secretary-general Gwede Mantashe’s wishes.
Ms Sparrow outraged South Africans with her racist Facebook post in January, when she likened black beachgoers to monkeys.
Ms Sparrow allegedly suffers from diabetes, as well as the stress caused by the predicament she faces. “It has taken its toll,” explained her daughter, Charmaine Cowrie, adding that her mother also fears for her life.
Ms Cowrie, who appeared in court under advisement from a local investigating officer, she claimed, requested a postponement of the case and also offered an apology for her mother’s absence, citing health reasons.
“My mother is also not sure of what to do as she is unable to secure legal representation – no one will represent her,” Ms Cowrie told the court.
Magistrate Khalil asked Ms Cowrie what she would like to apologise for. “For the post my mother made on Facebook,” she replied.
Various ANC provincial members, including provincial secretary, Super Zuma, were in court.
Advocate Denzil Potgieter, for the African National Congress, explained that every method at their disposal had been used to summon Ms Sparrow to court.
“The summons was advertised and has received considerable media coverage. She is clearly evading and there is no basis why this matter should be delayed any further,” he said.
Advocate Potgieter is seeking a ruling from Magistrate Khalil that the Facebook post made by Ms Sparrow was racist and propagated hate by dehumanising black South Africans.
He is also hoping that the court will fine Ms Sparrow in an amount of R200 000, which is to be paid to a charity promoting non-racialism.
It is however not clear whether Advocate Potgieter will pursue the fine as Ms Sparrow’s daughter told the court that her mother is divorced and a pensioner who, basically, has no home.
The magistrate ordered that proceedings go ahead without Ms Sparrow’s presence.
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