Penny Sparrow speaks out
She has been forced into hiding as she says she fears for her life.
SCARED to death – looking back at the post which labelled her ‘arch racist of the country’ – Penny Sparrow told the Mail that not a day goes by when she does not regret clicking ‘post’.
With 48 days left and no idea how she is to pay the R150 000 fine – as ordered by Magistrate Irfaan Khalil – Ms Sparrow explained that she has still not secured legal representation.
They all want payment, which I cannot afford, – Penny Sparrow
Ms Sparrow added that she is unable to find a job, which just makes her situation all the more difficult.
Having been in hiding since January, she explained that she had relocated between various properties nine times.
“I only stayed for two days at the first property. The owner felt the fear I had experienced as I cried a lot. He asked me to leave almost immediately, despite having originally offered to let me stay until all had blown over,” said Ms Sparrow.
Although friends have been few and far between, Ms Sparrow said that she has had tremendous support from those who ‘know’ she is not a racist.
“Some have received threats, especially the ones who have tried to raise funds for me,” Ms Sparrow told the Mail.
“I was unable to attend the Equality Court, mainly for fear of my life, due to the many death threats I have received. I was even unable to make a call from my phone for nearly a week as the death threats and hate speech came in continuously. Threats of rape, bombings, stabbings and shootings,” she said.
“I regret the post because it has turned my life upside down. I will go down in history as a racist. I am going to go to the court to find out how I can pay the money, although I am not going to say when as I could be killed.”
Ms Sparrow explained that her post had been read out of context and had been entirely misunderstood.
According to her, the term ‘monkey’ is often used among white people to describe a naughty child. “The white way is to call our children ‘monkey’. And we don’t hate our children,” she said.
“I want to make an unreserved apology for the Facebook post. I am very sorry that I so thoughtlessly used the wrong words and hurt people’s feelings. It wasn’t aimed at any one individual. I’ve got my punishment. I’ve been torn away from my children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. They really are all I live for and all that I have to grow old with.”
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